A Reflection for the Feast of St. Luke, evangelist, by Grace Lenahan

Producer Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell discuss the second half of the synod, which brings with it concerns with synod methodology and the future of ordained ministry.

A number of assumptions continue to float around the synod that are only partially true or largely false.

In a letter to Catholics in the Middle East on the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, Pope Francis cited words from the Gospel of John that have sparked enmity toward Jews for centuries.

The Vatican agency, Fides, has published a brief overview on the global number of Catholics, permanent deacons, seminarians, and more.

The only way to counter the excessive impact that influencers have on the life of the church is to promote more critical thinking among the Catholic faithful, who must be able to recognize attempts to manipulate the faith for political and economic ends.