Vatican synod ends without clear stances on women deacons, LGBT

Pope Francis attends a meeting of General Congregation during the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, October 28, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A month-long Vatican meeting on the future of the Roman Catholic Church ended on Saturday without clear stands on hot-button issues such as women deacons and welcoming the LGBT community.

The gathering, known as a Synod of Bishops, followed an unprecedented two-year canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics. The 365 synod participants included 300 bishops along with lay men and about 50 women who were mostly lay people.