Pope calls on Italian bishops to reduce the high number of dioceses in Italy.

May 24, 2013. (Romereports.com) For the first time, Pope Francis met with all Italian bishops. The gathering with more than 250 bishops, marked the end of their Plenary Assembly and the Pope made it a point to make two very direct requests. 

With more than 226 dioceses in Italy, he asked bishops to reduce the number of dioceses to prevent so called 'careerism.' He also asked them to directly deal with Italy's public institutions, as opposed to passing on that responsibility to the Vatican.