Vatican

All the Catholic Church’s structures, including tribunals and faculties of canon law, must undergo a “pastoral and missionary conversion” to ensure the church is giving the world “the only thing it needs: the Gospel of the mercy of Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote.

Although he had an aide read his prepared talk to the people who had organized World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, Pope Francis had a few memories and questions he wanted to share himself.

Embracing poverty and modeling a fraternity that accepts everyone as a brother or sister, members of Franciscan orders are called to go out into the world and witness how the Gospel truly is good news for everyone and for the planet, Pope Francis said.

Asking pardon for speaking plainly, Pope Francis told members of the International Theological Commission that “one of the great sins we have had is ‘masculinizing’ the church,” which also can be seen by the fact that only five of the commission members are women.

Released 10 years ago Nov. 24, the document’s message is as relevant as ever, several theologians and evangelization experts told OSV News.