Pope Leo XIV has made his first comments about women deacons in the Roman Catholic Church, provoking celebration among advocates who want women to be able to preach at Masses and skepticism among others that the pontiff will approve the move.

Leo, speaking to an American journalist in an interview for a book, said, "I am certainly willing to continue to listen to people" about the topic of women deacons.

"I hope to continue in the footsteps of Francis, including in appointing women to some leadership roles at different levels in the Church’s life, recognizing the gifts that women have that can contribute to the life of the Church in many ways," Leo told the journalist Elise Ann Allen in comments published on Cruxnow.com .

But Leo also said, "I at the moment don’t have an intention of

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