Catholic bishops end divisive synod on family

Pope Francis leaves a session of the synod in the Vatican — Image captionPope Francis had pointed words for conservative bishops after the meeting

Roman Catholic bishops have finished an often fractious synod on the family by reaching a compromise on divisive issues.

Doctrine towards divorcees has been softened but there is no change in the church's stance on homosexuality.

In comments afterwards, Pope Francis appeared to criticise conservative bishops.

The church, he said, should confront difficult issues "fearlessly, without burying our heads in the sand".

At the synod, the name given to the meeting of Roman Catholic leaders, bishops voted on 94 articles dealing with how the church treats the family.

The most contentious, dealing with whether divorced and remarried believers should be allowed to play a full role in the church, only just passed.

Bishops take a selfie at a meeting of the synod in the Vatican — Image captionThese three bishops took a selfie together - but divisions emerged at the meeting

The approved text calls for a case-by-case approach.

It also reiterates church teaching that homosexuals should not be discriminated against but said there were "absolutely no grounds" for gay marriage.

In his summary of the three-week gathering, Pope Francis said he wanted it to be about "listening to and making heard the voices of the families".

But he said the synod had "laid bare the closed hearts which frequently hide even behind the Church's teachings or good intentions", remarks seen as an attack on conservatives.

Analysis: Caroline Wyatt, BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent

The more conservative bishops are relieved that the final synod document restated Church teaching that gay Catholics should not suffer discrimination but that there was "no foundation whatsoever" for same-sex marriage.

And in a result that will please the most liberal, the Synod agreed to emphasize the role of individual conscience in dealing with difficult family situations - which may ultimately allow the civilly remarried being granted access to the sacraments.

All this is likely to form the basis of a later document by the Pope himself.

However, many have been critical of this process, warning that the synod risked sowing confusion among the faithful and dividing the church in the future.

He also acknowledged differences within the church, saying "what seems normal for a bishop on one continent is considered strange and almost scandalous for a bishop from another".

The text approved at the synod is only for guidance and Pope Francis must decide whether to advance it.

Bishops reads books at a meeting of the synod — Image caption94 articles were approved by bishops

The opening of the synod was overshadowed by a row over a priest who announced he was in a gay relationship. He was later fired from his role at the Vatican.

The Vatican denied an Italian media report during the meeting that Pope Francis had a brain tumour, calling it "seriously irresponsible".

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Saturday, 24 October 2015