Women Still Locked Out of Church Leadership, Despite Huge Impact on Their Lives.

Pope Francis did more to elevate women than any other pope. Will his successor cement or narrow his reforms?

Nuns attend a rosary for Pope Francis at the Vatican following his death. (Reuters: Guglielmo Mangiapane)

For generations, people accepted the tale that during the Middle Ages, an exceptionally gifted woman, disguised in clerical robes, climbed the Catholic hierarchy and eventually occupied the papal throne. According to legend, “Pope Joan’’ reigned for …