Pope Francis: Vatican begins landmark synod to discuss family life

Pope Francis was elected to lead the Church in 2013 after his predecessor Benedict XI retired

The synod will focus particularly on issues related to family life.

Last year, a global survey launched by Pope Francis suggested that the majority of Catholics rejected Church teaching on issues such as sex and contraception.

On Saturday, the Pontiff said he hoped Bishops would respond to the "epochal changes" that families were living through.

As one of the world's oldest religious institutions, the Catholic Church is in no hurry to change its teachings, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt in Rome.

Despite that, many Catholics are hoping the meetings might lead to some change, our correspondent adds.

After these two weeks of debate, the Synod will gather again in a year's time to continue its review.