Pope Francis on Tuesday led a prayer service asking forgiveness for the failings of the Catholic Church, including treatment by clergy of women and survivors of sexual abuse, as Catholic leaders prepared to begin a month-long summit at the Vatican.

The month-long summit is likely to defer any decision on divisive issues until 2025. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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Pope Francis will open a month-long summit of global Catholic leaders on Wednesday but it is likely to defer any decision on divisive issues such as women's ordination and blessings for same-sex couples until next year.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis launched the second phase of his big Catholic reform project Tuesday by asking forgiveness for a host of sins, reasoning that the church must atone for its transgressions if it wants to re-establish credibility with the faithful.

During the penitential celebration on the eve of the Synod on Synodality, confessions and testimonies were shared by bishops, religious, and laypeople.