VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has set up a panel to study whether women could serve as deacons, a role now reserved to men.

The Vatican said Tuesday that Francis decided to set up the commission, with 12 members — six men and six women — including priests, nuns, and laywomen.

It noted that he had told superiors of nuns’ orders in May that he intended to ‘‘set up an official commission to study the question’’ of the diaconate for women ‘‘above all regarding the early times of the church.’’ Some historians point out there were female deacons in the early church.

Married men who serve as deacons can preach and preside at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. But only priests can celebrate Mass.

There has been no sign from the Vatican that any change on deacons would affect its strict ban against women being ordained as priests.

A US-based organization dedicated to achieving the ordination of women as priests cautiously hailed Tuesday’s development. The Women’s Ordination Conference called the commission ‘‘an important step for the Vatican.’’

Associated Press