Live updates: Synod on Synodality concludes with Pope Francis forgoing apostolic exhortation

Pope Francis speaks at a Mass and canonization of 14 new saints in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA CNA Newsroom, Oct 26, 2024 / 17:15 pm (CNA). In a departure from usual practice, Pope Francis announces he will not issue a postsynodal apostolic exhortation, choosing instead to directly implement the Synod on Synodality’s final document. Here is what you need to know.”What we have approved in the document is enough,“ the pope declares on Saturday afternoon in Rome, marking a historic shift in how synodal reforms will be implemented in the Catholic Church as the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops draws to a close ahead of the final Mass tomorrow, Sunday. The long-awaited Final Synod Document is here. Key proposals include expanded roles for women, lay participation in decision-making, and decentralization of Church authority. Here is what you need to know https://t.co/TtTKXdPh7L— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) October 26, 2024 The story of the synod so far Oct. 26: ‘We walk together’: U.S. bishops reflect on last global session of Synod on SynodalityAs the second session of the Synod on Synodality draws to a close, U.S. bishops serving as delegates to the synod share their insights and experiences in a series of interviews this week with EWTN News hosts Catherine Hadro, Matthew Bunson, and Father Thomas Petri, OP.The bishops highlighted how their interactions with delegates from around the world deepened their appreciation for the universal Church’s challenges and vitality, reports Kristina Millare.Oct. 25: ‘Not over the hump yet’: Synod delegates anxiously await the final documentFor those concerned about making sure the Synod on Synodality doesn’t open the way to contested changes in Church teaching and practice, the draft version of its final document appears to be good enough.But it might not stay that way: 1,000 amendments to the text are currently being incorporated into the final document by a small writing team overseen by a commission of synod members.That text, in turn, will be read to delegates tomorrow, Saturday, who will then vote on it that evening, paragraph by paragraph, before its final approval, writes Jonathan Liedl for the National Catholic Register.Oct. 25: Cardinal Fernández: Female diaconate will be studied ‘more intensively’ The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith announces more in-depth study into the differences between holy orders and authority in order to be able to entrust laywomen with leadership functions in the Church. Cardinal Victor Fernández makes the statement during a meeting with about 100 members, guests, and experts participating in the synod to hear their questions and proposals regarding the work of group 5, reports Almudena Martínez-Bordiú.Cardinal Victor Fernández has announced that the female diaconate will be the subject of a more in-depth study under the impetus of the proposals sent to the commission assigned to this task. https://t.co/PQY1kqIeEg— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) October 25, 2024 Oct. 24: Election of Vatican council charged with implementing synodalityWhy are these members of a Vatican council poised to play an important role in implementing the results of the Synod on Synodality? Jonathan Liedl explains for the National Catholic Register what the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod is."Delegates at the synod voted to select 12 bishops to serve on the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod in the closing days of this year’s session. Among those elected was Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas."-- @JLLiedlhttps://t.co/dl43V4Kl9S pic.twitter.com/jBhVdoD3MI— National Catholic Register (@NCRegister) October 25, 2024 Oct. 24: From Rome to Ukraine: Archbishop Broglio discusses synod and global Church challenges Archbishop Timothy Broglio explains the importance of balancing collaborative Church governance while maintaining the essential role of bishops in their dioceses. He also shares moving experiences of meeting bishops from regions like Nepal, where Christians are a small minority, and addresses current challenges facing military chaplains in Ukraine and Israel.Reflecting on the synod, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and archbishop for the Military Services, USA, shares insights with EWTN News hosts Catherine Hadro and Matthew Bunson about this year’s Synod on Synodality in Rome.Oct. 24: Cardinal Czerny: Legacy of synod will be a ‘refreshed’ missionary ChurchCardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, hopes the legacy of the Synod on Synodality launched by Pope Francis will be the renewal of the Catholic Church as the people of God who walks together to “better carry out the mission that Christ entrusted us” in modern-day society.The Canadian cardinal tells EWTN News hosts Catherine Hadro and Matthew Bunson: “The central insight o