VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis opened a global Catholic summit on Wednesday with a warning that delegates should not seek to foist pet agendas onto the assembly, an apparent attempt to prevent discussions bogging down in divisive issues such as women's ordination.

Pope Francis on Tuesday led a prayer service asking forgiveness for the failings of the Catholic Church, including treatment by clergy of women and survivors of sexual abuse, as Catholic leaders prepared to begin a month-long summit at the Vatican.

Kicking off the next phase of a closely-watched Vatican reform synod on Wednesday, Pope Francis urged delegates to focus on unity and avoid pushing personal agendas so “each person feels welcomed.” But advocates for women’s ordination in the Catholic Church say they feel anything but welcomed.