In fairness to the Pope, he was asked the question & he _didn't_ really seem enthusiastic about it. He said that he'd have to check whether there were studies done about it. (He obviously didn't recall the 2002 report of the International Theological Commission which stated quite clearly that the deaconesses of the early Church were not simply female versions of the ordained deacons.) He pointed out that in so far as he knew, the historical and theological evidence was that deaconesses were not simply 'female deacons', by reference to what he had been told by an expert in the field. And then, proceeding from that point of uncertainty he said that a commission on the matter "seems useful to me." To my mind, a fair reading of his words suggests that the establishment of a commission is something that he _might_ do, having looked into the matter further.
However, various media outlets ran with the story suggesting that the pope was _definitely_ going to establish a commission. Various Catholic commentators went into _overload_ throwing out scenarios about all the work that 'female deacons' would do in terms of preaching, baptising, etc, etc... and basically gave the impression that this was around the corner.
Now, speaking as someone who doesn't claim to be an expert, but who has studied the history of theology, it seems to me that the 'deaconesses' in Church history didn't have the same duties as the ordained deacons, and that their appointment/installation as deaconesses wasn't usually seen as being sacramental ordination. I cannot see _any_ plausible path whereby the present historical evidence can justify any other convincing conclusion.
The question of whether some kind of non-sacramental position within the Church carrying the title of deaconess might be useful in this day and age is another question, and is possibly more debatable. Given Pope Francis's consistent line about not clericalising the laity, I don't see that happening.
But whatever your understanding of the historical and theological position, I think there's a lesson here in the way that the media and certain Catholic commentators aren't content to give a balanced account of what the Pope _actually_ says, but decide to run with their own agenda. That's what leads to Fr Lombardi having to clarify these remarks. It's not the Pope being hopelessly obscure. It's people choosing not to listen to him honestly.
