Pope Francis says female managers have done a better job at the Vatican than men

"I have noticed that every time a woman is given a position (of responsibility) in the Vatican, things improve," he said, according to the outlet.

She said of her position: “Things have changed for the better.”

Pope Francis added: “This is a revolution because women know how the find the right way to go forward.”

He said: “The fight for women’s rights is an ongoing fight because in some places women have equality with men but in other places they do not.”

He also condemned the practice of female genital mutilation, saying: “How come, in the world today, we cannot stop the tragedy of infibulation to young girls?

“According to two comments I heard, women are disposable material or a protected species.

“But equality between men and women is still not universally found and there are these incidents where women are second class or less.”

He has encouraged the demonstrations defying hijab laws to keep going, citing that women need to be better protected as they are a ‘gift’.

Iranians are continuing to rally for women’s rights sparked by the death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini who was arrested and allegedly beaten by the 'morality police' over her headscarf in September.

Masha’s father, Amjad Amini, also rejected claims that his daughter died of a heart attack.

While viewing his daughter’s body before her funeral, her entire body was wrapped except for her face and feet.

“I have no idea what they did to her,” he added.