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

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

Cardinal Grech’s controversial comments add to list of concerns on postsynodal study groups

Mar 29, 2024

By Jonathan Liedl

The Maltese cardinal stated in a recent interview that a female diaconate would not be a “revolution” but a “natural... Read more

Father Joseph Friend, Father Artur Bubnevych, and Father Donald Planty are among five U.S. parish priests who have been selected to attend a global gathering of 300 priests at the Vatican from April 28 to May 2, 2024, as part of the ongoing Synod on Synodality.

Five U.S. Catholic priests chosen to attend Synod on Synodality meeting at the Vatican

Mar 20, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

In a March 20 announcement, the USCCB said the five priests consist of four Latin rite priests and one Eastern... Read more

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

Pope Francis: Study groups to examine 10 Synod on Synodality themes through June 2025

Mar 14, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Church experts will meet in study groups to examine the question of women deacons and other key topics through June... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis launches study groups to analyze Synod on Synodality’s key issues

Feb 17, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis has launched synodal study groups to analyze key issues ahead of October’s Synod... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen is bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

Cardinal Zen publishes new critique of Synod on Synodality

Feb 16, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong warns that the synod’s vision of the Church “can change everything, the doctrine of... Read more

The cross of the German “Synodal Way.”

German Catholics ask bishops to reconsider Synodal Way plans

Feb 15, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Ahead of a high-stakes gathering of the German bishops next Monday, a lay group warned the prelates of moving “further... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 6, 2023.

Synod on Synodality organizers invite 300 parish priests to a listening session in Rome

Feb 3, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Synod on Synodality organizers are inviting 300 parish priests to come to Rome for a meeting of “listening, prayer, and... Read more

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

American dioceses will hold local synod ‘listening sessions’ through Lent 2024

Jan 6, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The bishops’ conference suggested that dioceses hear from “voices that may not have been heard in earlier stages of 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

Bishop Robert Barron. Photo courtesy of DeChant-Hughes Public Relations.

Bishop Barron in ‘frank disagreement’ with Synod on Synodality’s report on ‘development of moral teaching’

Nov 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Robert Barron was not the only bishop to highlight the Synod on Synodality’s discussion of the relationship between “love... 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.

Chinese bishop reflects on his experience at the Synod on Synodality

Nov 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining recently said he was “cheered” to meet Catholics from around the world. Read more

Father Iván Montelongo, a priest from the Diocese of El Paso, Texas; Bishop Daniel Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas; and Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend, Indiana, discuss the Synod on Synodality at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' fall meeting in Baltimore on Nov. 14, 2023.

Synod’s next steps? U.S. bishops look to Rome for guidance, say priests and poor need a voice

Nov 15, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

Bishop Daniel Flores and Bishop Kevin Rhoades emphasized the need for an “executive summary” of the Synod on Synodality’s synthesis... Read more

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican's nuncio to the United States, speaks to the U.S. bishops at their annual fall assembly in Baltimore on Nov. 14, 2023.

Pope Francis’ nuncio to USCCB assembly: ‘Eucharistic revival and synodality go together’

Nov 14, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

Cardinal Christophe Pierre called for unity in his address to the U.S. bishops Nov. 14 at their annual fall meeting... Read more

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, speaks at the USCCB fall plenary assembly Nov. 14, 2023.

USCCB president urges evangelization amid wars and challenges facing Church

Nov 14, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Archbishop Timothy Broglio’s remarks opened the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual fall meeting in Baltimore on Tuesday. Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis talks Synod on Synodality and homosexuality in new interview

Nov 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Asked about the synod assembly’s discussion of homosexuality, Pope Francis said: “When I say ‘everyone, everyone, everyone,’ [I’m speaking about]... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: A look at the key discussions and decisions

Oct 30, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Now that the Synod on Synodality has drawn to a close, all eyes are on the synthesis report emanating from... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023.

The first Synod on Synodality assembly is over. What comes next?

Oct 30, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Much remains unclear about what concretely will take place in the year leading up to the second and final Synod... 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.

Pope Francis at Synod closing Mass: To reform the Church, adore God and love others

Oct 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass, Pope Francis said that God’s love cannot be confined “to our own agenda.” Read more

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