Pope calls on business leaders to make maternity leave a priority

The Pope has called on business leaders to place a stronger focus on maternity leave and supporting women who are starting families.  Speaking to an audience of Christian Union of Italian Business Executives, Pope Francis highlighted that women who reveal their pregnancy to their boss or manager are frequently fired or offered paltry maternity leave to bond with their baby. The Pope said women "must be protected and helped in this dual task: the right to work and the right to motherhood."

"The challenge is to protect their right to a job that is given full recognition while at the same time safeguarding their vocation to motherhood and their presence in the family," he said.

Calling on the gathered business leaders to be proactive in their approach, the Pope added: "It is necessary to direct economic activity in the evangelical sense -- that is at the service of the person and the common good," He's had some odd things to say in the past, but this time it looks like Francis has got our back.