By Anastasia Pinto
The Synod has entered a new phase: a three-year journey focused on implementing the discussions from the previous three years of the Synod on Synodality (2021-2024). Pope Francis’ decision to extend this process marks a pivotal moment for the Church as it works to integrate synodality into everyday ecclesial life.
Key moments include the publication of the Support Document in May 2025, evaluation assemblies at diocesan, national, and continental levels, culminating in the ecclesial assembly in October 2028.
On March 11, 2025, Pope Francis approved the start of the accompaniment and evaluation process, which will guide the implementation of the Synod’s outcomes in local Churches worldwide, culminating in an ecclesial assembly in the Vatican in October 2028.
On March 15, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary-General of the Synod, communicated this in a letter addressed to the bishops and the people of God worldwide regarding the accompaniment process for the implementation phase of the Synod.
“For now, therefore, no new Synod will be convened; instead, the focus will be on consolidating the path already taken,” he said, urging Dioceses, Eparchies, Episcopal Conferences, Eastern Catholic Churches, and their continental groupings to actively involve institutes of consecrated life, apostolic societies, lay associations, ecclesial movements, and new communities in their regions in this process.
He further emphasized Pope Francis’ hope that this phase of the Synod receive particular attention, “so that synodality is increasingly understood and lived as an essential dimension of the ordinary life of local Churches and the entire Church.”
Reviving Communion, Rekindling Participation
The path to the ecclesial assembly in 2028 will unfold in several stages from March 2025 to October 2028, with key moments for evaluation and discernment along the way. The timeline of the Synodal journey presents significant opportunities for reflection, feedback, and action.
This collaborative approach will bring the fruits of the Synod to life across local Churches worldwide, fostering a Church that embodies its mission of communion and participation at all levels.
In this context, Cardinal Grech emphasized the importance of accompanying this journey in communion, stating, “It is essential to move forward together as the whole Church, harmonizing this reception across different ecclesial contexts. In no way does this diminish the responsibility of each Church.”
He further expressed the need to rekindle participation. “This process will also offer Dioceses that have invested less in the synodal path an opportunity to catch up on the steps not yet taken and to form their own synodal teams,” he said.
A Way of Being, Not Just a Process
Indicating that this process firmly seeks to ensure that Synodality becomes an integral part of the Church’s life, and not simply about applying top-down instructions Cardinal also underscored that “the implementation phase is not merely the ‘application’ of directives from above, but rather a process of ‘reception’ of the orientations expressed in the Final Document, adapted appropriately to local cultures and the needs of communities.”
He also affirmed that this phase of the Synod will heavily rely on the work of synodal teams, made up of representatives from various vocational expressions, which he described as “fundamental tools for accompanying the ordinary synodal life.”
These teams, initially formed during the listening phase, will help revive and deepen the dialogue that was started earlier. As part of the ongoing Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope, he also mentioned that one of the significant moments in the Synodal journey will be the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, taking place from October 24-26, 2025.
Photo: Vatican Media
