Vatican Continues Synod Implementation Phase
From our August 2025 First Fridays Newsletter
The sudden passing of Pope Francis this spring left many Catholic leaders questioning the future of synodality. A new document, “Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod,” released at the end of June makes clear that Pope Leo intends for the Church to continue to move forward with the “Implementation Phase,” in keeping with the vision laid out by Pope Francis before his death.
In his opening letter, Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod on Synodality, encouraged dioceses that have not yet done so to begin implementation, even if they face risks or unclear outcomes, and to do so “with freedom and parrhesia.” In encouraging parrhesia — frank, bold, courageous speech and action —the Vatican makes clear it is neither seeking blind implementation of the Synod recommendations, nor the status quo. Rather, it is encouraging genuine action, seeking honest feedback, and the raw experiences of faith communities as they grapple with how to move forward and make synodal changes.
The Final Document of the Synod acknowledged many of the challenges around implementing its recommendations, including that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. To better understand the challenges and successes as the Church implements the recommendations, the Vatican has asked dioceses, eparchies, and episcopal conferences across the world to host evaluation assemblies in the coming years. These, as well as an evaluation assembly at the continental level, will precede a final assembly in the Vatican in October 2028.
While the Synod on Synodality continues in the Implementation Phase, the Vatican has also postponed to the end of the year reports from the 10 special study groups formed by Pope Francis to tackle the more challenging topics raised during the Synod — including women’s ordination and the relationship between Eastern and Latin rite Churches. Those study groups were set to release their initial reports June 30, but the death of Pope Francis and transition in leadership to Pope Leo led the groups to request an extension to December 31.
Go Deeper:
Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod. General Secretariat of the Synod. June 2025.
Final Document of the Synod on Synodality. XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. November 2024.
Vatican’s synod office postpones reports on controversial issues. Catholic News Agency. July 2025.