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

The Council of Cardinals meets with Pope Francis on Feb. 21, 2022.

Pope’s cardinal advisers discuss Church’s efforts to prevent abuse

Dec 7, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Holy See press office said Dec. 7 that the pope met with his council of advisers for a two-day... Read more

Theologian Monsignor Piero Coda speaks during an Oct. 27, 2022, press conference at the Vatican to present a working document of the Synod on Synodality.

Synodality text calling for ‘radical inclusion’ praised at Vatican event

Oct 27, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy Spirit is at work in the latest document of the Synod on Synodality, presenters said Thursday at a... Read more

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018.

What does the synod document say about ordination of women, LGBTQ issues, and the liturgy?

Oct 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

At the heart of the synodal process is “a Church capable of radical inclusion,” according to a key document released... Read more

The Synod of Bishop at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2018.

Synod on Synodality: Vatican reveals framework for next stage of discussions

Oct 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares, Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican revealed on Thursday the outline that will guide the next stage of discussions in the Synod on Synodality. Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., speaking at the press conference in the Vatican on Aug. 26, 2022.

Cardinal Hollerich: Without Vatican II, ‘the Church today would be a small sect’

Oct 18, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the relator general of the Synod on Synodality, has said that he is convinced that the Second... Read more

Pope Francis delivered his Angelus address on Sept. 18, 2022.

Pope Francis announces decision to extend Synod on Synodality to 2024

Oct 16, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope explained that he made the decision to provide more time for discernment. Read more

The opening of the Synod for the Family at the Vatican on Oct. 5, 2015.

Vatican’s Synod on Synodality organizers say synod is ‘fruit’ of Second Vatican Council

Oct 10, 2022

By AC Wimmer

In a message marking the 60th anniversary of Vatican II’s opening, the general secretariat of the Synod on Synodality called... Read more

A screenshot of the image produced from the Philadelphia Catholic Higher Education Synod, which participants say misrepresented them.

Philly synod artwork misrepresented our views, Catholic students say

Oct 5, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Artwork based on a listening session for Philadelphia-area Catholic university students drew global comment and criticism after it was shared... Read more

CNA

Priests reject controversial synod poster: it’s ‘out of bounds and confusing’

Sep 29, 2022

By CNA Staff

Two Spanish priests recently posted their analyses on social media of a controversial drawing posted to the Synod on Synodality... Read more

CNA

What’s behind the ‘woman priest’ Facebook post from the Synod of Bishops?

Sep 27, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

A social media stir has greeted the image of a “woman priest” posted to the Synod of Bishops’ Facebook page. Read more

Giulia Cirillo gives Pope Francis a report from Catholics with disabilities on Sept. 21, 2022.

‘Full members of the Church’: Catholics with disabilities contribute to Synod on Synodality

Sep 21, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Catholics with disabilities delivered to Pope Francis on Wednesday a report they prepared for the Synod on Synodality. Read more

Synod on Synodality logo

U.S. synod synthesis shows ‘desire for greater communion’

Sep 19, 2022

By Carl Bunderson

The Synod on Synodality has thus far demonstrated the “joys, hopes, and wounds” shared by members of the Church in... Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, Irme Stetter-Karp, Bischop Franz-Josef Bode at the “Synodal Way” meeting on Sept. 9 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Turbulent scenes and votes for homosexuality, women’s ordination at German Synodal Way

Sep 12, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The three-day event was overshadowed by turbulent scenes and early departures over the handling of contentious issues. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing watches ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp speak at the Synodal Way assembly in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 8. 2022

After sex document at German Synodal Way is blocked, organizers vow to ‘take it to’ Rome

Sep 9, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The document pushed for changes to the Church’s teaching on homosexuality, bisexuality, gender identity, and masturbation. Read more

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Who is preparing the Synod on Synodality’s key working document?

Sep 8, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In late August, the leadership of the Synod of Bishops announced the next stage in the Catholic Church’s Synod on... Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of Synod of Bishops.

Vatican Cardinal decries criticism of German ‘Synodal Way’ as ‘denunciation’

Aug 29, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The chief organizer of the Catholic Church’s Synod on Synodality has decried as “denunciation" the number of public criticism of... Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech speaking at the press conference in the Vatican on Aug. 26, 2022

Only the Holy Spirit will 'hijack' the Synod on Synodality, cardinal says at Vatican press conference

Aug 26, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

At a press conference in the Vatican on Friday, two cardinals introduced the “continental phase” of the Catholic Church’s Synod... Read more

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lungern, Switzerland

Swiss bishops' Synod report: Catholic Church denies equality to women and excludes LGBT people

Aug 16, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The Swiss Bishops' Conference's report from the Synod says the Catholic Church was seen as suffering from clericalism as well... Read more

Celtic Cross on the hill at Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland.

Young Catholics in Ireland say their voices have not been heard during synodal process

Aug 10, 2022

By Charlotte Evans

A group of 500 young Catholics in Ireland have signed a letter saying they love the Church’s teaching, but that... Read more

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Vatican enlists influencers to get young, disenchanted Catholics to answer Synod survey

Aug 9, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Jimmy Akin, a Catholic apologist and a host of the popular radio call-in show Catholic Answers Live, was tapped by... Read more