Pope Francis Tells Nuns 'Don't Be Old Maids' But 'Spiritual Mothers'

According to a story by the Associated Press Pope Francis has made a statement to the nuns of the world telling them to be "spiritual mothers" and not "old maids."

The Pope's remarks came during an assembly Wednesday where 800 sisters from 75 countries gathered to attend the International Union of Superiors General. The assembly gathered leaders from women's religious orders.

On the UISG website it says the goal of this organization is to provide "an international forum where superiors general of institutes of Catholic women religious can share experiences, exchange information, and mentor one another in their roles as leaders."

There are very few roles for women in the Catholic Church about the only choice a woman that chooses a life in the church has is to be a nun. The only leadership role for women in the church is Mother Superior. That is the leader of a particular order of nuns, the head nun as it were.

While meeting with the sisters Pope Francis advised the nuns to not only be spiritual mothers, he also warned them against using their positions to further their own agenda.

AP reports Pope Francis said those who would join the Church for personal gain, "do more harm to the church."

AP also says the Pope was advising against "careerism" a term used to "describe Holy See bureaucrats."

Later that day Pope Francis held his general audience in Saint Peter's Square. Pope Francis has quickly gained a reputation as being one to break with tradition. One such example was during his general audience, the Pope walked around the square greeting people who flocked to see him.