Sister Camille D’Arienzo “didn’t toe the line. She said what she believed. She is a progressive woman who had a very big pulpit, which was over three million listeners a week.”

Pope Francis honored women's contributions to the life of the church. I trust Pope Leo XIV to do the same.

Among those recognized at two theology conferences in June was Stephen Bevans, S.V.D., to whom the Catholic Theological Society of America gave its highest honor, the John Courtney Murray Award.

By following the tradition of Augustine, the new pope can promote stability that is not rooted in hierarchical dominance or exclusion, but in communal support, service and humility.

Catholics suffer from widespread ignorance of important, historical precedents of both female and lay ecclesial leadership.

As Pope Francis’ legacy is debated in the coming weeks, one key area for examination will be his advancements of women in the Vatican, whether his changes were sufficient and whether they will last.