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

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney spoke to EWTN on the occasion of the Synod on Synodality.

Archbishop: If a Synod proposal is at odds with the Gospel, ‘that’s not of the Holy Spirit’

Oct 20, 2023

By Courtney Mares

“We’ve got to be careful about blaming everything — all our opinions, our interests, lobbies, and factions — putting all... Read more

Pope Francis prayed for migrants and refugees with the delegates of the Synod on Synodality at St. Peter's Square on Thursday evening, Oct. 19, 2023.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis leads prayer for migrants during Synod on Synodality

Oct 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The simple, 25-minute prayer service took place in a quiet St. Peter’s Square in front of Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz’s... Read more

Synod on Synodality spokesman Paolo Ruffini speaks to the media during a press briefing at the Vatican on Oct. 18, 2023.

Synod on Synodality: LGBT issues, female diaconate discussed in emotional third week

Oct 20, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The process has been driven by what the Synod on Synodality calls “active listening and speaking from the heart.” Read more

Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod’s communication commission (left); Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas (center); and Cardinal Michael Czerny (right) at a press briefing on Oct. 19, 2023.

Cardinal: Synod on Synodality poses ‘no danger to the nature of the Church’

Oct 19, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Michael Czerny made his assessment one day after Synod delegates were presented with a theologian’s sweeping vision for the... Read more

Father Dario Vitali speaks at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican, Oct. 18, 2023.

Synod on Synodality asked to ‘rethink the whole Church’ according to synodality

Oct 18, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The next stage of the Synod on Synodality opened Wednesday with a call to focus on authority, decentralization, and the... Read more

Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David of Kalookan, Philippines (left), Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, archbishop of Manaus, Brazil (center), and Archbishop Zbigņev Stankevičs of Riga (right) all spoke at the Synod press conference on Oct. 18, 2023.

Latvian bishop at Synod: If someone is living in sin, we can’t tell them that’s all right

Oct 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

“If there is a person living in sin and we tell this person, ‘Everything is all right with you, it’s... Read more

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius offers Mass on the feast of St. Luke for the Synod on Synodality delegates in St. Peter's Basilica on Oct. 18, 2023.

Synodality must be at the service of evangelization, archbishop says

Oct 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas also noted how St. Luke’s Gospel “highlights the important role of women in the life of the... Read more

“As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” Renée Köhler-Ryan, one of 54 women delegates to the Synod on Synodality, said at a press briefing Oct. 17, 2023.

Theologian at Synod on Synodality: There’s ‘too much emphasis’ on women priests

Oct 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” Renée Köhler-Ryan said at... Read more

Archbishop José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez.

Synod on Synodality ‘cannot remove pages from the Bible,’ synod archbishop says

Oct 16, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Archbishop José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez, the archbishop of Manizales in Colombia, shares his experience at the Synod of Synodality. 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 bishops leaving Synod on Synodality early

Oct 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The two prelates are returning to China because of “pastoral needs,” a Vatican spokesman said Monday. Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates in small groups listen to Pope Francis’ guidance for the upcoming weeks on Oct. 4, 2023.

This week at the Synod on Synodality: Participation focus comes amid exit of Chinese bishops

Oct 16, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican confirmed that the bishops from the People’s Republic of China are leaving ahead of the event’s conclusion. Read more

Sister María de los Dolores Palencia Gómez, Superior General of the Congregation of St. Joseph of Lyon, speaks to journalists during a press briefing for the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican on Oct. 14, 2023.

Synod ‘setting the stages for future changes’ on role of women; first woman presides over assembly

Oct 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Sister Maria de los Dolores Palencia Gomez, a Sister of St. Joseph of Lyon, spoke at a press briefing about... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 10, 2023.

Synod on Synodality reports not ‘secret,’ but still won’t be shared, spokesman says

Oct 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The decision was communicated Saturday by Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod’s communication commission, at a press briefing.  Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates seated at discussion tables inside Paul VI Hall at the Vatican in October 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: Work begins on the final text as second week wraps up

Oct 14, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The past week risked being overshadowed by a letter about the German Synodal Way shared with synod participants by Bishop... Read more

Thousands prayed for peace at the Fatima shrine in Portugal Oct. 12, 2023.

Thousands at Fátima Shrine pray for peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine

Oct 13, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In his reflection before the faithful from 35 different countries, Cardinal Américo Aguiar encouraged the faithful to pray to the... Read more

Synod of Synodality delegates tour the catacombs of St. Sebastian. Rome, Italy, Oct. 13, 2023.

Synod on Synodality delegates make a pilgrimage to Rome’s catacombs

Oct 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Hundreds of delegates took a break from their discussions of synodality to visit the catacombs of St. Sebastian and St.... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the relator general of the 16th Annual General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Hollerich: Beginning today the Synod is addressing ‘some of the key points’

Oct 13, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Speaking at the Synod on Synodality, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich shared an introductory reflection on the “co-responsibility of the mission.” Read more

Mother Maria Grazia Angelini gave an exegesis of the New Testament for synod delegates during the general congregation on Oct. 13, 2023, in which she claimed that St. Paul “inserted himself into a ‘non-ritual’ female liturgy” when he arrived in the city of Philippi in Macedonia.

Synod on Synodality: Italian nun claims St. Paul attended ‘non-ritual female liturgy’

Oct 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Mother Maria Grazia Angelini claimed that St. Paul “inserted himself into a ‘non-ritual’ female liturgy” when he arrived in the... Read more

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap., was the main celebrant of a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for synod participants on Oct. 13.

The devil ‘wants to see us divided,’ cardinal says at Synod on Synodality Mass

Oct 13, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“If we have the courage to look at our current reality as a Church, it won’t be hard to see... Read more

A delegate participates in round-table discussions at the Synod on Synodality, Oct. 10, 2023.

Report: Confidential Synod on Synodality records aren’t secure

Oct 13, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The Pillar report Friday raises questions about who has been spying on the Synod on Synodality’s supposedly private deliberations all... Read more