Bishops hold books as the Pope reads prayers at the morning session of the last day of the Synod on the Family at the Vatican on October 24, 2015. Pontiff on October 4 defended marriage and heterosexual couples as he opened a synod on the family overshadowed by a challenge to Vatican. Pope Francis accelerated his streamlining of the Vatican bureaucracy by announcing plans to create a new ministry which will increase the role of lay believers in the Church. The Pontiff made the announcement to an afternoon session of the synod, which is due to conclude at the weekend after three weeks of often heated discussions on issues such as divorce, homosexuality and cohabitation. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)
