Pope Francis has issued a detailed note accompanying the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. This document encapsulates the outcomes of the two-year-long Synod of Bishops on Synodality, which Pope Francis launched in October 2021 and concluded in October 2024.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, the synodal journey has been a global endeavor, spanning continents, cultures, and languages. Pope Francis reflects on this process, writing that the path has been marked by “openness to the voice of the Holy Spirit.” He describes this journey as one that has enabled the Church to examine its experiences and identify new steps to foster communion, encourage participation, and carry out the mission entrusted to it by Christ.
“This journey,” Pope Francis explains, “has allowed the Church to read her own experiences and identify steps to live communion, realise participation, and promote the mission entrusted to her by Christ.”
Pope Francis highlights the phased approach of this synodal journey, which began at the local level before progressing to national and continental stages. Now that the Assembly has concluded, he entrusts the Final Document and its recommendations back to local Churches. He urges them to approach implementation with discernment, creativity, and sensitivity to their unique contexts.
The Pope underlines the importance of respecting the document as part of the “ordinary Magisterium of the Successor of Peter.” While emphasizing its authoritative nature, he also clarifies that it does not serve as a strict set of regulations. Instead, it is a call for reflection, to be applied differently based on the specific needs of each Church.
“It represents a form of exercising the authentic teaching of the Bishop of Rome,” Pope Francis writes. He adds that it contains innovative elements but aligns with his earlier remarks in 2015, where he stated that “synodality is the proper interpretive framework for understanding hierarchical ministry.” Nevertheless, he stresses that the document “is not strictly normative” and should inspire thoughtful action tailored to varying contexts.
Pope Francis makes it clear that the conclusion of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly does not signify the end of the synodal process. Instead, it marks the beginning of a new phase: implementation. He writes, “local Churches and their groupings are now called to implement, in different contexts, the authoritative directions contained in the Document through discernment and decision-making processes foreseen by canon law and the Document itself.”
The Pope has assigned the General Secretariat of the Synod and the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia the responsibility of supporting local Churches in this phase. Additionally, bishops are tasked with reporting the decisions made in their local Churches in line with the Final Document. They are expected to share both challenges and successes during their ad limina visits to Rome.
“Bishops,” Pope Francis notes, “will report on the choices made in their local Church concerning the indications in the Final Document, the difficulties encountered, and the fruits achieved, and are called to report on progress during their ad limina visits.”
He encourages bishops to embrace this responsibility with courage, humility, and creativity. The Pope acknowledges that certain issues may require time and a broader consensus across the global Church to resolve.
In his closing remarks, Pope Francis calls on all faithful to ensure that the words expressed during the synodal journey translate into concrete actions. He emphasizes that the process must be dynamic and collaborative, aiming for renewal and growth. He expresses his hope that the Holy Spirit, as the source of harmony within the Church, will continue to inspire and guide the faithful, ultimately leading them to a deeper communion with Christ.
“The synodal journey,” the Pope reminds, “needs shared words to be accompanied by deeds.” His note ends with a prayerful hope for the Holy Spirit to guide the Church into full communion with Christ.
