THE POPE'S WORD TO WOMEN

"John Paulis in his own way a feminist," saysTIME's John Elsonabout the Vatican's open letter to women in which the Pope apologized for the Church's past treatment. The Pope wrote that there is "anurgent need to achieve real equalityin every area," calling for equal pay, fairness in career advancements andcivil equality.But the Church is not a democracy, John Paul says, and there is still no room in the priesthood for women. The letter, Elson notes, is "entirely consistent with his theme of the dignity of human life. He has expanded his horizons to emphasize the role of women outside marriage. Butthe weight of traditionis too much for John Paul to ever advocate ordaining women priests."