Pope Francis opens Synod on Synodality with Mass in St Peter's Square

Pope Francis will open the final phase of the Synod on Synodality on 2 October with a solemn service in St Peter's Square. This was announced by the Vatican press office on Monday. Just under four weeks later, on 27 October, the Pope will celebrate the closing mass on a somewhat smaller scale in St Peter's Basilica.

The main topic of the synod will be new ways of consultation and decision-making in the Catholic Church. For the first time in the history of the church, women will also be voting, making up around a seventh of the 380 participants. The synod's resolutions will be presented to the Pope for a decision at the end.

New decision-making channels in the church

The synod is primarily concerned with how the Church's current centralised, top-down decision-making processes can be changed through new levels and methods of consultation. In addition to the clergy, people without an ordained ministry, so-called lay people, should also be involved. At the same time, the unity of the global church with its 1.4 billion members is to be preserved.

At Pope Francis' request, individual controversial topics such as the future role of women in the Church are not to be discussed by the Synod on Synodality, but entrusted to expert committees. These will meet next year when the synod has already ended. (KNA)