Francis and Synodality

Abstract

The pastoral ministry of Pope Francis is marked by the resumption and deepening of the conciliar renewal
process of the Church and its creative reception in Latin America. One can speak of a 'new phase' in the conciliar reception process, characterized by a double conversion: missionary conversion ('Church on the way to the peripheries') and synodal conversion ('walking together of the People of God') or, to be more precise, by a missionary-synodal conversion, in which the mission is assumed by all Christians ('walking together' of the People of God) and synodality is lived in missionary perspective and dynamism ('walking together' in mission). This article aims to clarify Francis' understanding of synodality or the synodal Church, taking his documents, speeches, decrees, and gestures as a reference. It begins by situating the topic in the context of the resumption and deepening of the conciliar renewal process of the Church, explaining its theological-ecclesiological foundations. It addresses two challenges for the realization of a synodal process in the Church: synodal dynamism (ecclesial structure and imaginary) and missionary dynamism (ecclesial decentering, going out to the peripheries). Finally, it highlights the importance and risks of the ongoing synodal process that will culminate with the two sessions of the Synod of Bishops Assembly in 2023 and 2024. The methodology used is primarily the bibliographic analysis. The writings of Francis are reviewed, some of his main theological, pastoral, and juridical-institutional contributions and challenges for the process of synodal renewal of the Church are addressed.