Synod of Bishops

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks at a Mass and canonization of 14 new saints in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024

Live updates: Synod on Synodality concludes with Pope Francis forgoing apostolic exhortation

Oct 27, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Follow EWTN News’ live coverage of the 2024 Synod on Synodality at the Vatican. Get real-time updates, expert analysis, and... Read more

Pope Francis addresses bishops gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican for the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Oct. 27, 2024.

In synod closing Mass, Pope Francis calls for ‘a Church that hears the cry of the world’

Oct 27, 2024

By Courtney Mares

At the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Sunday, Pope Francis said that a synodal Church must be “on the... Read more

Theologian Myriam Wijlens, a Synod on Synodality consultant, speaks at an Oct. 23, 2024, press briefing, where she emphasized that Pope Francis has called for “reconfiguring the Church in a synodal way.”

Analysis: What will the final document of the Synod on Synodality be like?

Oct 24, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Synod on Synodality final document is set to be discussed and voted on this weekend. What will be in... Read more

“Rushing to ask for the ordination of deaconesses is not today the most important response to promote women,” Cardinal Víctor Fernández, the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said Oct. 21, 2024.

Fernández: Diaconate ‘is not today’ the answer for promoting women in Church leadership

Oct 21, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Cardinal Víctor Fernández at a speech at the general congregation on Oct. 21 recalled that for the Holy Father the... Read more

More than 30 students — most of whom were from the U.S. — from over 10 universities attended “The University Students in Dialogue with Synod Leaders,” an Oct. 18, 2024, event organized by the General Secretariat of the Synod held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

Synod delegates urge young Catholics to learn how to listen to others in a polarized world

Oct 19, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich drew attention to the upcoming Nov. 5 U.S. elections and stressed the importance of seeing the person... Read more

Pope Francis meets with other delegates of the Synod on Synodality at a roundtable discussion in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Oct. 17, 2024.

Analysis: Is the Synod on Synodality’s focus on the local Churches a Trojan horse?

Oct 18, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

One gets the impression that many Synod on Synodality participants view the subject of local Churches as a kind of... Read more

Delegates at the 2024 Synod on Synodality participate in roundtable meetings on Oct. 10, 2024, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Analysis: A Chinese bishop takes the floor for the first time at the Synod on Synodality

Oct 11, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

There has been one noteworthy development so far in the Synod on Synodality’s second week — and it’s not the... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch speaks to journalists at the Synod on Synodality press briefing held at the Vatican’s Holy See Press Office on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.

Non-Catholic delegates put Christian unity in focus at Synod on Synodality

Oct 10, 2024

By Kristina Millare

According to Cardinal Kurt Koch, the imperative for all Christian churches to journey, pray, and cooperate is Jesus’ own priestly... Read more

Brazilian Archbishop Jaime Spengler, OFM, speaks at a Synod on Synodality briefing on Oct. 8, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ Brazilian pick for cardinal urges openness to ordaining married priests in region

Oct 10, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Jaime Spengler again indicated he is open to ordaining married men, so-called “viri probati,” to serve as priests —... Read more

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People’s Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Catholic bishops from mainland China and Taiwan in dialogue at Synod on Synodality

Oct 8, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Norbert Pu is the Catholic Church’s first bishop born in Taiwan and is a delegate in the nearly monthlong... Read more

The Maronite Catholic eparch of Batroun, Bishop Mounir Khairallah, attends a Synod on Synodality press conference on Oct. 5, 2024, at the Vatican.

Lebanese bishop makes impassioned plea for peace at synod briefing

Oct 5, 2024

By CNA Staff

Bishop Mounir Khairallah of Batroun shared his personal experience of violence and forgiveness, recounting how his parents were murdered when... Read more

Pope Francis views a historic relic of the chair of St. Peter on Oct. 2, 2024.

What’s behind the viral photo of Pope Francis venerating a chair?

Oct 4, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

CNA explains what was behind the viral photo of Pope Francis sitting before an ancient wooden chair during the first... Read more

Closing the first week of meetings, Synod on Synodality participants from different continents put a spotlight on the plight of the world’s poor and vulnerable at a press briefing held in the Vatican on Oct. 4, 2024, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. 

Synod participants put spotlight on world’s poor and vulnerable on feast of St. Francis

Oct 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Closing the first week of meetings, Synod on Synodality participants from different continents put a spotlight on the plight of... Read more

On the eve of the second session of the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis said on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, that the Catholic Church must first acknowledge its sins and ask for forgiveness before it can be credible in carrying out the mission Jesus Christ entrusted to his Church.

Pope Francis: We must acknowledge our sins, ask forgiveness to become missionary Church

Oct 1, 2024

By Kristina Millare

During the penitential celebration on the eve of the Synod on Synodality, confessions and testimonies were shared by bishops, religious,... Read more

Bishops process into St. Peter's Basilica for the closing Mass of the first assembly of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 29, 2023.

Decoding the Synod on Synodality: CNA’s essential terminology guide

Oct 1, 2024

By Courtney Mares, Matthew Bunson

As the Catholic Church kicks off the second session of the Synod on Synodality this week, it’s helpful to understand... Read more

Delegates vote to approve a synthesis report at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 28, 2023.

Pope Francis steers delicate course on women, the Church, and the Synod on Synodality 2024

Oct 1, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Oct. 2, Pope Francis will open the second session of the Synod on Synodality, the last part of the... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (right), relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City. Beside him is Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general for the Synod of Bishops.

What you need to know about part 2 of the Synod on Synodality

Sep 21, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The second Vatican assembly for the global Synod on Synodality will kick off in October, bringing together clerics and laity... Read more

Organizers discuss the upcoming second session of the Synod on Synodality at a press conference at the Holy See Press Office on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.

Here’s what will be new at the Synod on Synodality part 2

Sep 16, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will begin Oct. 2–27 in Rome, the second part of... Read more

Pope Francis offers a prayer at the conclusion of the 2023 Synod on Synodality.

Vatican office deletes online poll showing negative response to Synod on Synodality

Jul 29, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Posted Friday, the poll asked: “Do you believe that synodality as a path of conversion and reform can enhance the... Read more

Bishops process into St. Peter's Basilica for the closing Mass of the first assembly of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 29, 2023.

Synod on Synodality next steps: Pope to choose ‘big questions’ for further study

Dec 12, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The possible ordination of women to the diaconate is among the “matters of great relevance” that synod delegates in October... Read more