Pope Francis believes women are more courageous than men.
During his weekly general audience on Wednesday, the pontiff spoke of the biblical heroine Judith and said she was an example of trusting God amidst sufferings and difficulties, when it is easy to give up hope and fall into despair.
Pope Francis focused on Judith "a woman of great beauty and wisdom", who rebuked the people of Israel for their lack of trust in God to deliver them from foreign invaders.
"This is my opinion but women are more courageous than men," the Pope said to applause.
The story of Judith demonstrates the importance of the "courageous counsel" of humble women, Pope Francis said.
Their words contain "the wisdom of God" and should never be "dismissed as ignorant", he added.
