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 Sept. 30, 2023, prayer service, called “Together,” which was organized by the ecumenical community Taizé, included eight minutes of silence for personal prayer.

Pope Francis calls silence ‘essential’ at prayer vigil for Synod on Synodality

Sep 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Before thousands of young people and Christian leaders from around the world, Francis emphasized the importance of silent prayer. Read more

The 2023 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) being held Sept. 25-28, 2023, outside of Toronto, Ontario.

Canadian bishops reject euthanasia, discuss Indigenous fund, synod at end of meeting

Sep 29, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The 2023 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops wrapped up on Thursday. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing addresses journalists on Sept 28, 2023.

German bishops conclude tense gathering with all eyes on Synod on Synodality in Rome

Sep 29, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Conscious of mounting tensions and open defiance around certain issues, the assembly in Wiesbaden served as a charged prelude to... Read more

Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of the Archdiocese of Bamenda in Cameroon.

Cameroon archbishop: ‘No room for distraction’ for delegates to Synod on Synodality

Sep 27, 2023

By ACI Africa

“We are not going to allow ourselves to be distracted by the social media antics,” Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya said. Read more

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Canadian bishops prepare for synod, discuss humanitarian efforts in Honduras

Sep 26, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The bishops gathered Monday in King City, Ontario, just outside of Toronto, for their four-day annual meeting. Read more

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Diocese of Rome: Thousands expected at Vatican for ecumenical prayer vigil ahead of synod

Sep 25, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The prayer service will take place just days before the launch of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of... Read more

Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel told Swiss newspaper “NZZ am Sonntag” on Sept 24, “It’s time to abolish mandatory celibacy.”

Swiss bishop calls for women’s ordination, end to celibacy ahead of synod

Sep 25, 2023

By AC Wimmer

“It’s time to abolish mandatory celibacy,” Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel told the Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag on Sept... Read more

Pope Francis led the opening procession of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region from St. Peter's Basilica to the Synod Hall where he led the opening prayer, Oct. 7, 2019.

Synod on Synodality: Read the final list of delegates

Sep 22, 2023

By CNA Staff

The Vatican has published the final list of names of those participating in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in... Read more

Credit: FreshStock/Shutterstock

Who are the Chinese bishops attending the Synod on Synodality?

Sep 21, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining and Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Zhoucun will participate in the October assembly. Read more

Pope Francis greets Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, on Feb. 20, 2023.

Synod 2023: Participants to include two bishops from mainland China, Archbishop Paglia

Sep 21, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The leadership of the Synod on Synodality have released the final list of participants for the first session of the... Read more

Bishop Alfredo de la Cruz of San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic.

Bishop who will attend synod: We must address issue of women deacons and priests

Sep 20, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The bishop of San Francisco de Macorís in the Dominican Republic, Alfredo De la Cruz, said the Synod on Synodality... Read more

Pope Francis addressed pilgrims and tourists at his first outdoor general audience after the summer on Sept. 6, 2023.

Synod 2023: What has Pope Francis said about synodality?

Sep 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Synodality isn’t “a chapter in an ecclesiology textbook” or a “fad or a slogan to be bandied about in our... Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech, who serves as secretary general of the global Synod on Synodality, speaks to EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser for an exclusive interview that aired on EWTN on May 22, 2023.

Cardinal Grech shares blessing for Synod on Synodality to be given after Sunday Mass

Sep 15, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The general secretary of the synod has asked for prayers from all Catholics around the world for the upcoming session... Read more

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 28, 2017.

Ordination of women should not be focal point of synod, Scandinavian cardinal says

Sep 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Cardinal Anders Arborelius said the issue of ordaining women “cannot lead further, as priestly ministry is reserved to men in... Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago.

Cardinal Cupich: ‘Nothing to be feared’ from ‘ancient reality’ of synod

Sep 7, 2023

By Daniel Payne

“History has shown that the use of fear tactics by those who resist any kind of renewal that involves change... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the general audience on Aug. 23, 2023.

Pope Francis: Synod on Synodality ‘truly important’ despite being ‘of little interest to the general public’

Aug 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope spoke about the significance of the synod nearly one month ahead of the first Synod on Synodality assembly... Read more

Pope Francis sits quietly during a meeting with students at the Portuguese Catholic University in Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 3, 2023.

Pope Francis confirms Vatican envoy’s visit to China in wide-ranging interview

Aug 4, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The pope also addressed “rigidity” in the Church and concerns about the Synod on Synodality. Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich.

Cupich on German processes, same-sex blessings, role of women

Jul 14, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The archbishop of Chicago spoke about the Germany Synodal Way and blessing of same-sex unions as well as the pontificate... Read more

Top From Left to Right - Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Bishop Robert Barron, Cardinal Blase Cupich
Bottom From Left to Right - Father James Martin, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cardinal Wilton Gregory

Synod on Synodality: Here are the delegates representing the U.S. and Canada

Jul 8, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

A pair of U.S. college students, a religious sister who does karate, and two distinct sets of American bishops are... 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.

Synod on Synodality: Vatican publishes full list of participants

Jul 7, 2023

By Courtney Mares

For the first time, laypeople will be full voting members of the synod, which begins in October. Read more