Pope opens synod with call for bishops to stop in-fighting

Pope Francis celebrates a mass to mark the opening of the synod on the family in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican October 5, 2014. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis opened a global Roman Catholic assembly on Sunday showing his apparent irritation with Church leaders who have waged a sometimes bitter public battle between progressives and conservatives on family issues.

The synod is the first since Francis's election 19 months ago with a mandate to turn around an institution hit by declining membership in many countries and scandals including the sexual abuse of children by priests and irregularities in Vatican finances.