Pope Francis gives women historic right to vote at meeting

Pope Francis has announced that women will be allowed to vote at an influential meeting of bishops in October for the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Five religious sisters will now have voting rights at the synod, which is a papal advisory body. 

In the past, women could only attend as observers. Men will still cast the majority of the votes at the gathering, but this marks a significant shift in the church, which has been male-dominated for centuries. 

Pope Francis also announced that voting rights will be extended to 70 non-clerical members of the religious community, with an emphasis on including young people and half of the members being women. The changes have been welcomed by advocates for women priests, although some parts of the Church are predicted to resist the decision.