Pope Francis' Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to women

Pope Francis' yearslong process to reform the Catholic Church closed Saturday with recommendations that fell short of giving women more equity as hoped but reflected the pope's aims for a church that at least listens more to its followers.

In a significant move, the pope said he would not issue a teaching document from the recommendations, which called for women to be allowed all opportunities that Church law already provides while leaving open the contentious question of allowing women to be ordained as deacons.

As a result, it remains unclear what if any authority or impact the synod's final recommendations will have, given the purpose of the exercise was to provide the pope with specific proposals on reform.