Synod on Synodality Updates and Latest News

The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, is a multiyear process initiated by Pope Francis to enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Church. The Catholic Church’s massive synodal process has already undergone diocesan, national, and continental stages. It culminates in two global assemblies at the Vatican. The first monthlong session of the Synod on Synodality, concluded on Oct. 29, 2023, with the finalization of a 42-page synthesis report. The October 2024 session is expected to produce a final report, which will be presented to Pope Francis for his consideration in issuing any related teaching.

The Latest

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

Cardinal Hollerich: The openness of the Synod on Synodality ‘will change the Church’

Oct 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality, one of the meeting’s leaders said the freedom and openness experienced will... Read more

Pope Francis thanks the delegates at the conclusion of the 2023 Synod on Synodality.

Synod on Synodality 2023: Summary report calls for greater ‘co-responsibility’ in Church

Oct 28, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The Vatican’s nearly monthlong Synod on Synodality assembly concluded with members approving an ambitious text calling for greater “co-responsibility.” Read more

Pope Francis and delegates at the Synod on Synodality at the conclusion of the assembly on Oct. 28, 2023.

What does the Synod on Synodality document say about ‘controversial’ issues?

Oct 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Synod on Synodality’s final document includes a discussion of issues it says are still “controversial” inside the Church. Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech and Pope Francis at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 28, 2023.

Vatican releases Synod on Synodality report proposing larger role for laity in Church

Oct 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The document proposes a “synodal Church” that implements synodality throughout Church governance, theology, mission, and discernment of doctrine. Read more

Cardinal Agostino Marchetto.

We can’t subvert tradition to please the world, Synod on Synodality cardinal says

Oct 28, 2023

By Marcelo Musa Cavallari

“Certainly we cannot ignore the world, and that’s why it’s a mistake to entrench ourselves in the past,” Cardinal Agostino... Read more

Metropolitan Fülöp Kocsis in Rome for the 2023 Synod on Synodality

Meet the Synod’s scooter-riding Byzantine archbishop who got the pope to wear a trucker hat

Oct 28, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

A Byzantine Catholic has emerged as one of the most colorful figures participating in the Vatican’s monthlong Synod on Synodality. Read more

Pope Francis among the delegates of the Synod on Synodality, held in October of 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: Final week wraps up in expectation of summary report

Oct 27, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

As the final week of this year’s gathering unfolds amid contentious discussions, anticipation is rising for the publication of the... Read more

Wyatt Olivas, a university student from the United States, at a press conference on the Synod of Synodality in Rome being held in October 2023.

Pope Francis signs ‘sick note’ for youngest participant of the Synod on Synodality

Oct 27, 2023

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Wyatt Olivas, 19, approached Pope Francis to ask if the pontiff would sign a letter requesting a few days of... Read more

Delegates at the Synod on Synodality will vote on the assembly's synthesis report on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Synod on Synodality: Anticipation and tensions brew ahead of synthesis report release 

Oct 27, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The summary text will serve as a bridge between this month’s assembly and a second synodal gathering scheduled for October... Read more

Bishop Robert Barron speaks to EWTN's Colm Flynn about evangelizing the culture today. October 2023.

Bishop Barron: Church should engage culture with more ‘energy, panache, and confidence’

Oct 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bishop Robert Barron said he regrets the Catholic Church’s “hand-wringing” in recent decades over how to share the Christian message... Read more

Catherine Clifford, a professor at St. Paul University in Ottawa, and Archbishop Stanisław Gadecki of Poland at the Synod on Synodality's Oct. 26, 2023, press briefing.

Polish bishop at Synod: Practice can vary but doctrine has to be the ‘same for everyone’

Oct 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki said Thursday one difficulty of synodality lies in distinguishing pastoral practice — which can be adapted —... Read more

Pope Francis leads the Synod on Synodality delegates in prayer on Oct. 25, 2023.

Pope Francis speaks at Synod on Synodality: ‘Clericalism’ defiles the Church

Oct 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis denounced clericalism and called it a “scandal” to see young priests buying lace vestments at tailor shops in... Read more

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes.

Mexican cardinal comments on treatment of controversial issues at Synod on Synodality

Oct 25, 2023

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the primatial archbishop of Mexico, downplayed the issues that have generated some controversy during the Synod... Read more

Delegates to the Synod on Synodality meet in the final days of the synod, Oct. 25, 2023.

Synod on Synodality addresses the Church in letter to the people of God

Oct 25, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“This is not about ideology but about an experience rooted in the apostolic tradition,” says the letter inviting the faithful... Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates meet in round table discussion groups Oct. 21, 2023.

The Synod on Synodality’s listening ‘method’ comes from the Jesuits

Oct 24, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Synod on Synodality delegates in Rome this month are participating in a “conversation in the Spirit,” a method of communal... Read more

Australian theologian Father Ormond Rush addresses the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 23, 2023, in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

Theologian points to Vatican II’s ‘dynamic’ tradition in Synod on Synodality speech

Oct 23, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Tradition “was a major point of discussion at the Second Vatican Council,” Father Ormond Rush said Monday. Read more

Delegates meet at round tables during the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 10, 2023.

UPDATE: Synod on Synodality this week: Anticipating a ‘Letter to the People of God’

Oct 23, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The letter, expected to arrive Oct. 28, will serve as a compass, signaling the direction of a continuing synodal journey. Read more

Myanmar’s Cardinal Charles Maung Bo celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Cardinal Bo: Synod on Synodality is ‘a long march of hope for all humanity’

Oct 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Myanmar’s Cardinal Charles Maung Bo described the Synod of Synodality as “a long march of hope for all humanity” during... Read more

Father Timothy Radcliffe told the Synod on Synodality delegates on Oct. 23, 2023, that the time before the 2024 assembly "will be probably the most fertile time of the whole synod, the time of germination."

Synod on Synodality’s ‘most fertile time’ will be between the assemblies, Radcliffe says

Oct 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

“These 11 months will be like a pregnancy,” Father Timothy Radcliffe told the synod delegates. “We, my brothers and sisters,... Read more

Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, Germany at the Synod on Synodality press briefing Oct. 21, 2023.

German bishop at Synod on Synodality: Church should not ignore ‘signs of the times’

Oct 21, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Bishop Franz Josef Overbeck cites Germany’s “post-secular” context amid Synod on Synodality’s discussions on “decentralization.” Read more