Pope Francis called for women to be respected, and the Vatican published statistics about women in the church as part of International Women's Day observations in Rome.

“Let us pray together so that women, every woman, may be respected, protected and esteemed,” the Pontiff said in a March 8 tweet. “Violence against women and mothers is violence against God himself, who from a woman, from a mother, took on our human condition.” 

Francis added that he hopes to open the path for more women at the Vatican and in the Church. He concluded his speech to a general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 8 by applauding them and expressing gratitude to women worldwide for their dedication to creating a more compassionate society, noting their unique ability to view the world with both creativity and empathy, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 

Francis wrote the preface for a new book entitled, “More Women's Leadership for a Better World: Caring as the Engine for Our Common Home,” according to the USCCB. "It is right for them to be able to express these skills in every sphere, not just within the family," the pope said. 

Francis has worked to incorporate more women in the work and governance of Vatican commissions and Roman Curia offices throughout his 10 years as Pontiff. He often has emphasized the potential benefits of valuing women within the Church and stresses the importance of encouraging them to do more than simply fulfill a certain role, instead to empower them to help transform the Church's culture into a more compassionate one, the USCCB said. 

The number of women working at the Vatican has increased significantly in recent years, according to the Vatican News.  In 2013, there were 846 women employed there, while today there are 1,165, accounting for 23.4% of the total workforce. More than 25% of employees in the Roman Curia are now women, USCCB figures show.