Ohio nun leads Rome pilgrimage on women's roles

CLEVELAND - An Ohio nun who lobbies for expanded Catholic Church roles for women and a married priesthood has taken her case to Rome at a historic time.

Sister Chris Schenk of Cleveland is leading a six-day pilgrimage to Roman sites related to the role of women in the early church.

The pilgrimage, which ends Wednesday, had been scheduled before Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement last month.

With the papal retirement, Schenk took the opportunity to bring to Rome documents reflecting 25,000 postcard petitions. They ask the Vatican to allow married priests and women deacons.