Synod of Bishops

The Latest

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 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

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

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

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