Mary L. Laffey : Pope Francis says Catholic Church needs ` ` deep theology of women '' But she says many will accuse church of corruption as long as it denies women priesthood . When Pope Francis gave his now-famous , 80-minute interview on the plane back to Rome from Brazil , he was asked , not surprisingly , about the role of women in the Roman Catholic Church . She says jury still out : By some theological readings , women not exempt from priesthood . Laffey : His warm stance toward women in church bodes well for taking on issues of poverty .
Mary L. Laffey : Pope Francis says Catholic Church needs ` ` deep theology of women '' But she says many will accuse church of corruption as long as it denies women priesthood . She says jury still out : By some theological readings , women not exempt from priesthood . Laffey : His warm stance toward women in church bodes well for taking on issues of poverty .