Pope Leo XIV Met with Leaders of Women Religious and Discussed the Expanding Role of Women within the Church


U.S. Sisters: Pope Shares Concern Over Immigrant Crisis

Following a significant meeting with Pope Leo XIV, the Presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) spoke with Vatican News regarding the dire situation of immigrants in the United States, the evolution of synodality, and the expanding role of women within the Church.

As the United States grapples with intense polarization and social friction, the domestic Church has consistently sought to act as a stabilizing voice for peace. A key driver in this mission is the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), an association representing approximately 30,000 sisters. Their focus remains on helping Catholic women religious navigate a changing society while serving the Gospel.

On Thursday, March 26, Pope Leo XIV hosted the LCWR presidency during their annual Vatican visit. A primary focus of the dialogue was the current turmoil in the Pope's home country.

When the Pope “listened to our story of the heart, about how painful it is right now in the United States in regards to the treatment of human beings, not even US citizens, just human beings themselves, I could see the pain on his face,” Sr. Carol Zinn, Executive Director of LCWR, told Vatican News.

The delegation included:

  • Sister Vicky Larson (President)

  • Sister Debra Sciano (President-elect)

  • Sister Kathy Brazda (Past President)

  • Sister Carol Zinn (Executive Director)

The Gospel Call to Welcome the Stranger

Tensions in the U.S. reached a breaking point in January 2026 following a tragic incident where ICE agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens during an immigration crackdown. This followed a November 2025 statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressing deep concern over the treatment of migrants—a statement Pope Leo XIV explicitly supported, calling for human dignity.

Sr. Vicky Larson noted that the LCWR and the Pope share a “shared concern for the plight of the immigrant and the Gospel call to welcome the stranger.”

Sr. Zinn detailed their two-pronged approach:

  1. Grassroots Support: Providing essentials like baby food and shoes, and accompanying individuals to court.

  2. Federal Advocacy: Working directly with the government to influence policy.

Healing Polarization Through Relationship

The LCWR is currently prioritizing a “transformation of consciousness.” Sr. Zinn observed that “the issue of polarization is alive and well... there's a tendency to exclude the other, just about everybody, and to set up camps.”

To combat this, the organization is focusing on:

  • Building Bridges: Creating connections across political and social divides.

  • Discernment: Using the traditions of consecrated life to foster collective listening.

  • Synodality: Embracing the framework established by Pope Francis to share wisdom and "be Church together."

Women in Leadership: A Cultural Shift

The sisters expressed deep engagement with the Synod process, noting they “engaged in the synod process 1,000%.” They highlighted Paragraph 60 of the Synod’s Final Document, which argues there is no reason women should be excluded from leadership roles.

Sr. Zinn offered a poignant perspective on the barriers women face:

“I’m pleased that there seems to be some understanding that's coming forth that this whole issue of the role of women in leadership in the Church is not theological, it's not ecclesial, it’s not historical, it’s not even canonical: It's cultural.”

She concluded by noting that the appointments made by both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV signal a genuine commitment to evolving the Church's culture regarding female leadership.

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