VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis opened a global Catholic summit on Wednesday with a warning that delegates should not seek to foist pet agendas onto the assembly, an apparent attempt to prevent discussions bogging down in divisive issues such as women's ordination.

The second session of the 16th Ordinary Synod of Bishops, running from Oct. 2–27, marks a critical phase in the Church’s global synodal process.

Pope Francis on Tuesday led a prayer service asking forgiveness for the failings of the Catholic Church, including treatment by clergy of women and survivors of sexual abuse, as Catholic leaders prepared to begin a month-long summit at the Vatican.

Pope Francis opened the second phase of his big Catholic reform project Wednesday, with widespread calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility in the church topping the agenda but ordained ministry still ruled out.

We are only allowed to look down on a person to help them get up,’ Pope Francis told young people at the penitential ceremony.

Pope Francis on Wednesday opened a global summit of Catholic leaders, which has postponed action on divisive issues such as women's ordination until 2025, with a warning that delegates should not seek to foist pet agendas onto the assembly.