A Roman Catholic organisation advocating for women's ordination has been given permission to hold an official demonstration in Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome.
Two representatives from Womens' Ordination Worldwide (WOW) met with an official from the Vatican Secretariat of State discussing women's ordination, according to the Tablet.
WOW has been in Rome between June 1-3 during the Vatican's Jubilee for Priests and is holding a conference, reception and exhibition for women in priestly ministry.
The organisation challenges the official Catholic Church position that holds priesthood is a role solely to be exercised by men. It calls for the Catholic hierarchy to "courageously open the door to dialogue on women's ordination".
While Pope Francis has been lauded as progressive in many respects, his treatment of women is his 'blind spot', Miriam Duignan, a leader of WOW, has previously told Christian Today.
Despite the official ruling of the Church, women have been ordained, and subsequently excommunicated.
In the meeting with the two WOW representatives, the Vatican official agreed to pass on a petition to the Pope calling for the excommunications to be lifted.
According to the women he listened to "our heartfelt plea for women priests in our Church".
The Pope has previously said the topic of ordination of women is a closed door.
"I readily acknowledge that many women share pastoral responsibilities with priests, helping to guide people, families and groups and offering new contributions to theological reflection," the Pope wrote in in his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium.
"The pain of this closed door is felt deeply around the world and perpetuates discrimination and injustices against women and girls in society," WOW said in a statement.
"This meeting in Rome is crucial in offering support to Pope Francis in the changes he is working towards in the Church. If the RC Church is to remain relevant in any way, opening up all areas of the Church to women of all nationalities is at the centre of this change."
