Pope Francis Orders Study on Appointing Female Deacons

In an effort to resolve a longstanding conflict within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has directed his administration to establish a commission to study whether to allow women to be appointed as deacons. Deacons can officiate at a wedding or funeral, but cannot preside over a Mass. The pope is not, however, considering women as priests, which is one rank above a deacon. The commission will be comprised of seven men and six women.