The Pope will not write a separate teaching letter following the World Synod. Francis announced this at the closing session of the assembly on Saturday evening in the Vatican. The final document decided by the synods should be published directly. “What we have accepted is enough. The document already contains very concrete indications that can guide the mission of the churches on different continents and in different contexts,” said Francis. Francis did not say what canonical status the document has. The final document had previously been accepted in all points by the Synodal Assembly.
“In this time of war, we must be witnesses of peace, also by learning to give real form to the coexistence of differences,” said the Pope, justifying the unusual step. “For this reason, I do not intend to issue an Apostolic Exhortation.”
The final document of the Synod of Bishops contains proposals for a more synodal church constitution. Among other things, it is about more say for the church base, more transparency and accountability of church leaders. During the synod’s deliberations, among other things, there was a controversial discussion about which positions women could take on in the Catholic Church in the future. Francis had a total of ten study groups formed to answer these questions and other questions, the results of which are to be presented in the summer of 2025.
Following a synod of bishops, the Pope usually writes a so-called post-synodal letter. In it, he alone decides whether to accept the proposals presented to him by the synods in their final document.
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