Cindy Wooden

Pope Francis calls for cease-fire in Holy Land; Vatican-Iranian diplomats talk

October 30, 2023

The day after Pope Francis called for a cease-fire in the Holy Land, his foreign minister spoke by phone with the foreign minister of Iran, "reiterating the absolute need to avoid escalating the conflict," the Vatican press office said.

As synod winds down, members urged to sow patience

October 23, 2023

As members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops return home, share the results of their work and prepare for the final synod assembly in 2024, they must be on guard against people who will want to make them take sides as if the synod were a political debate, said Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe.

Pope Francis calls Gaza parish staff as bombing continues

October 17, 2023

Huddled in a stairwell at the Catholic parish and school in Gaza, Rosary Sister Nabila Saleh, another sister and Father Youssef Asaad filmed themselves speaking to Pope Francis on the phone and begging for his continued prayers.

Confidential synod documents made available on unsecured server

October 16, 2023

Some confidential documents from the assembly of the Synod of Bishops were accessible online to anyone who had the address before synod officials restored the need for a username and password, said Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.

Synod elects members to oversee synthesis report

October 12, 2023

With 364 members and dozens of special guests having the right to speak at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops, accurately synthesizing the discussion will be a major undertaking.

Saying terrorism, war solve nothing, Pope Francis prays for peace

October 10, 2023

"War is a defeat," Pope Francis insisted as he called for prayers for peace in Israel and Palestine.

Synod begins work with focus on Holy Spirit and listening

October 5, 2023

Pope Francis opened the work of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops asking members to meditate on ancient theological texts about the Holy Spirit, have the courage to be honest about their disagreements and focus much more on listening than on sharing their opinions.

Creating cardinals from 16 nations, Pope Francis asks them to join church 'symphony'

October 2, 2023

Coming from different parts of the world and having different experiences and talents, members of the College of Cardinals are called to create a "symphony," listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said.

On retreat, synod members look at ways to accept, overcome differences

October 2, 2023

Knowing they would be wrangling with different opinions and that Catholics around the world had different hopes and fears for their work, the 364 full members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops gathered for a retreat.

Pope Francis names two Chinese bishops to synod; Vatican publishes synod schedule

September 21, 2023

On the recommendation of the Catholic bishops of mainland China in consultation with the Chinese government, Pope Francis has named two bishops from the country's mainland as members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.