On the anniversary of Oct. 7, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, I do not want to talk about peace or forgiveness. But the Synod on Synodality asks me to anyway.

Father Orobator, a Nigerian Jesuit and voting member of the synod, understands the skepticism that has crept in since last year’s session. But he still has hope for the synodal process.

Conversion is never easy, but participants from all continents must undergo conversion if the synod is to successfully carry out its task, Gerard O’Connell writes.

Pope Francis has decided that this year, we will be discussing not any series of topics—clericalism women’s ordination to the diaconate, or ministry to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics—but synodality itself.

When I imagine how the next 11 months can be used most fruitfully, I think about something, or rather someone, who is largely missing from the synod in Rome: the parish priest.

As we approach the expected release of the synod’s summary report on Saturday evening and the closing liturgy on Sunday, here are three questions that I will be paying attention to.