XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

The journey towards the celebration of the Synod in October 2023 solemnly opened on October 9-10, 2021 in Rome.

On September 7, 2021, the preparatory document and the vademecum (handbook) for the synodal journey were released. With the convocation of the Synod of Bishops on the themes of communion, participation and mission, Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium. This journey, which follows in the wake of the Church’s ‘renewal’ proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task.”

The Continental Phase Document has been released and may be accessed here. The Synod of Bishops has now been extended to October 2024 to allow for greater consultation of the faithful.