VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Women should play a greater role in society and the Church without sacrificing their essential attention and contribution to their families, Pope Francis said.

Women’s distinctive skill sets and sensibilities make them invaluable not only for building “peace and harmony” in families but for all of humanity, too, he said.

The pope made his remarks during an audience at the Vatican with women taking part in a national congress hosted by the Italian Women’s Center (Centro Italiano Femminile), a Catholic women’s association promoting greater democracy, solidarity, human rights and human dignity.

In his speech, Pope Francis said, “I strongly wish that (opportunities and responsibilities) may open themselves up further to the presence and participation of women, both in the church as well as in society and the professional sphere,” including a greater role in decision making, he said.

However, the pope also said that he hoped such new opportunities and responsibility would not mean forgetting “the irreplaceable role of women in the family.”

The “finesse, particular sensitivity and tenderness” women possess “represent a genuine strength not only for the life of families, for creating an atmosphere of peace and harmony,” but for the whole of humanity, too, he said.