Pope Francis has announced the creation of a new Vatican department for laity, family and life.
He made the announcement on Thursday evening’s session of the family synod in Rome.
The new dicastery was proposed by the Council of Cardinals, the Pope’s closest cardinal-advisers.
It is unclear if the new department will be called a council or a congregation. It is also not known who will lead it.
The statutes of the new body are expected to be released in December.