Pope Leo Q&A at Synodal Teams Jubilee

Image credit: Osservatore Romano

On 24th October Pope Leo XIV met with members of Synodal teams and participatory bodies, during their Jubilee in 2025. Over 2000 representatives from around the world came together to discuss synodality in their contexts, from Parish Councils to Diocesean teams and more.

During the Jubilee, 7 questions were put to the Holy Father during this session, each presented with a report from representatives of different continents. Pope Leo answered each one in a more universal approach, and so his responses can be relevant beyond individual contexts.

Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod Sr Nathalie BECQUART, X.M.C.J. introduced, saying “It is with great joy that we now experience this privileged moment, which will allow us to travel across the seven continents/regions of the world to hear briefly from each delegate – representing the continental Episcopal Conferences – offering a panorama of how the Synod is being implemented in their region. All seven will share how synodality is unfolding in their respective contexts: their initiatives, challenges, and projects.”

• Question One - Exchange of Gifts:

  Read: Report and question from Africa

  Q: During the implementation phase, how can local Churches—particularly in Africa—both receive support from and inspire the whole Church so that we walk together in a spirit of "exchange of gifts, " respecting the principle of subsidiarity in local discernment, not imposing uniform models or undermining local initiative?

  Holy Father:

  “Thank you very much, Father, for what you have shared about the work of synodality in Africa. First of all, I would like to greet all of you. Good evening. Buenas tardes! 

  I think the first word I would like to say - one that is not only for the Church in Africa, but for all of us this evening - is mission, and being missionary. The synodal process, as Pope Francis reminded us on numerous occasions, was intended to help the Church fulfil her primary role in the world, which is to be missionary: to announce the Gospel and to give witness to the person of Jesus Christ in every part of the world and to the ends of the earth. In the words of the Gospel: preaching, sharing and living what Jesus taught us. 

  I think the Church in Africa, in this sense, has much to offer to all of us. What you spoke about the synodal process helps us to build bridges and understand how the Church can be a bridge, especially in cultures where Christians are not the majority and often live alongside members of other religions, whether regional traditions or world religions such as Islam. It reminds us that such contexts pose challenges, but at the same time also offer great opportunities. 

  What most of us have experienced over the past number of years in preparation for the Synod, and now at the beginning of this new phase of implementation, is precisely that synodality, to use your words, is not a campaign, it is a way of being and a way of being for the Church. It is a way of promoting an attitude, which begins with learning to listen to one another. 

  The gift of listening is something I think we all acknowledge, yet it has often been lost in certain sectors of the Church. We need to continue to discover how valuable it is, beginning with listening to the Word of God, to one another, and to the wisdom that we find in men and women, in members of the Church and also in those who are searching for the truth, even if they are not yet - or may never become - members of the Church. 

  In the African context, there are particular questions and realities that are both challenges and gifts, for example youth. When we compare Europe and Africa, one continent continues to grow older, while the other is filled with new life, youth and great vitality for the Church. There is also the gift of family, which is so important. The Church must reach out to people through young people and families, becoming an instrument of peacebuilding and offering models both in Africa - among African countries - and in different countries and continents, on issues such as promotion of peace and care for creation, among others. 

  In this sense, we have to be very clear: we are not looking for a uniform model, and we will not present a template that dictates to every country, "This is how you must do it." Rather, we are speaking of conversion to a spirit of being Church by being missionary and building up the family of God. Thank you.”

• Question Two - Continental Synod Teams:

  Read: Report and question from Oceania

  Q: The role of Continental Synodal Teams has been highlighted throughout the synodal journey, particularly in the implementation phase. Do you anticipate that the role of groupings of Churches - such as Continental Bishops' Conferences, national or regional Bishops' Conferences, and Ecclesiastical Provinces - will continue to grow in the life of the Church?

  Holy Father:

  “First of all, allow me to greet Dr Susan. She and I were members of the same table in the last session of the Synod, and it is nice to be at the same table again with you. Welcome. 

  The brief answer is yes. I do expect, and I hope, that the different groupings of Churches will continue to grow as expressions of communion in the Church, drawing on the gifts we are all receiving through this exercise - this "life of synodality." 

  I want to offer a very concrete and brief example that, for me, was particularly striking. I was at a meeting recently with a bishop from your region, who said that the issue of climate change is so urgent that, if current trends continue, his country will disappear in less than 50 years. Meanwhile, we often find ourselves enjoying the luxury of sitting in very comfortable spaces and reflecting on topics that may at times seem theoretical. But when we listen to the urgent cry of people in different parts of the world - whether due to poverty, injustice, climate change, or a number of other causes - we realize that we are not merely reflecting on theoretical matters but that an urgent response is needed. 

  This is a concrete situation that I hope we all take very seriously. It echoes the call that Pope Francis issued to the whole Church and to the world ten years ago in Laudato Si, reminding us that responding to the cry of the earth is part of our faith commitment. We cannot be passive. 

  Therefore, I certainly hope that through Bishops' Conferences, Ecclesiastical Provinces, and Continental Conferences, we can address some of these very specific issues and make a difference. I think the Church has a voice, and we need to be courageous in raising our voice to change the world and make it a better place.”

• Question Three - Clergy Authority:

  Read: Report and question from North America

  Q: What would you say to bishops and priests who are concerned that synodality may diminish their authority as pastors? How can we better understand and promote co-responsibility, accountability and transparency in our dioceses and parishes? 

  Holy Father:

  “Thank you very much. The question refers to what is happening in Canada and the United States, which, interestingly enough, even in these days, as we are sitting here, are experiencing great difficulties. Two countries that were once considered among the closest of allies can, at times, grow distant from one another. This is yet another example - another proof - of why synodality, listening and dialogue are so important, and how they have concrete applications in our daily lives. 

  Referring to the specific question, I would like to return to an expression that Dr Susan used a few minutes ago, when she spoke of "pace and scale," reminding us that not all things move at the same rhythm or speed and that there are indeed differences. 

  One of the disagreements that apparently many of you experienced - judging by your reaction when the question was asked - is the concern among some pastors or bishops that their authority may be diminished. Apparently some of you have had that conversation, let us say. I would like to invite all of you, as we were invited during the Synod sessions, to reflect upon what synodality is about, and to invite the priests, particularly even more so than the bishops, I think, to somehow open their hearts and take part in these processes. 

  Oftentimes, the resistances come out of fear and lack of knowledge. Every person who has reported so far from his or her region has listed formation as a priority. And I think we have to be very clear and sincere about the importance of formation on every level. 

  Sometimes, ready-made answers are given without the proper, necessary preparation in order to arrive at the conclusion that maybe some of us have already drawn, but others are not yet ready or capable of understanding. Without proper formation on every level - whether in schools, seminaries, ongoing formation programs, adult formation for the laity, etcetera - there are going to be resistances and a lack of understanding. 

  I think that, at least to a certain extent, we have to understand that we do not all run at the same speed, and sometimes we have to be patient with one another. Rather than having only a few people running ahead and leaving many others behind - which could even cause a rift in the ecclesial experience - we must seek ways, sometimes very concrete ones, to understand what is happening in each place, what the resistances are or where they come from, and what we can do to increasingly encourage the experience of communion in this Church, which is synodal. 

  So with that, I think that the concrete reality - understanding within the American, United States culture - is that many structures which already exist have great potential for being synodal. We must find ways of continuing to transform them into more inclusive kinds of experiences. Whether on pastoral councils, or in other diocesan structures or gatherings, the inclusion of people - men and women, laity and clergy, women and men religious, etcetera - can help all to take part and feel a deep co-responsible sense of belonging, leadership and accountability in the life of the Church. Obviously, there are challenges, but I think some significant steps have already been taken, and hopefully that will continue. Thank you”

• Question Four - Latin & Eastern Churches

  Read: Report and question from the Council of Eastern Catholic Patriarchs

  Q: In our Eastern Churches, taking into account our specificities, and in the Latin dioceses, what are the urgent changes and fundamental conversions to which we are called in order to truly put synodality into practice in our participatory bodies at the parish, diocesan level and in the Eastern synods, as well as in our formation bodies (seminaries, novitiates, formation of young people and lay people, Catholic schools and universities...)? 

  Holy Father:

  “Could I begin by saying that - without excluding any other region of the world - if there is a place in the world today that really needs signs of hope, it is in the Middle East. I think that we all wish to be that sign of hope. 

  One of the signs of hope, which I think is very significant, which has been mentioned once or twice, and which is definitely a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit, is the gift of enthusiasm. We find this in the Churches of the Middle East and also among those Christians in the diaspora - because unfortunately, so many Christians have had to leave their homes and emigrate to other parts of the world. In them, we find that the gift of faith gives them the strength, endurance, courage they need to continue to go forward, even after many times having lost everything. 

  I think that it is at those times when we as the Church need to be united and come together to be that authentic sign of hope, but also a very real expression of Christian charity, a fraternal love, a care for one another, especially for those people who have had everything taken away from them because of the destruction of war and hatred among us. 

  I think that the challenges in the Middle East, which the Oriental Churches have continued to take on and to move forward with, are something that we need to understand more in the West, if you will. As we look at synodal processes, we need to understand that there are also significant differences between the Latin Church and the Eastern Churches, and we need to respect those differences. 

   I think that is the first step in any community, in any human organization: if we do not respect one another, we will never begin to know one another, and therefore never truly come to know one another. 

   I think there are a number of things that we can talk about, as you mentioned in your question. But again, formation is obviously part of the answer, which we have mentioned already a couple of times - on every level. "Conversation in the Spirit," to understand that taking part in a synodal process is taking part in the Church, and that we need to learn, first and foremost, to listen to the Holy Spirit in many different ways and to take part in a spiritual journey. Just as so many of your people have had to journey, we need to understand that our hearts can remain open to the Holy Spirit only if we recognize, live and experience the importance of prayer - the importance of a spiritual life, both individually and in community, in our parish communities, our religious communities and in different kinds of gathering. In that way, we can continue to grow in the ability to listen to one another and to discern the best ways to move forward. 

  I think there is so much that we need to pray for in terms of finding the strength to accompany you and your people; to truly witness to Jesus Christ, as you were saying: in the land where he was born, lived, martyred and rose from the dead - the ultimate sign of all of our hope; to be true promoters of pardon and reconciliation, which are so necessary; and to learn that in pardoning and working towards reconciliation, we can indeed build greater unity among all peoples. “

• Question Five - How to Inspire Others

  Read: Report and question from Latin America and the Caribbean

  Q: How can the synodal path process animate and inspire our new societies to be more inclusive, just and constructors of the world? 

  Holy Father:

  “Thank you very much for the report, for all that is being done in Latin America in this process and long before.
  
  I believe the Church should be very grateful for the many things we have learned from Latin America. The gift of faith, the enthusiasm, the spirit of communion, which in many cases is part of the very culture of the peoples who are traditionally—truly—very united and who have—let's say—transformed this gift—of communion, of brotherhood of brothers and sisters—into an experience that expresses itself very well in the Church and that teaches many of us to continue on an authentically synodal path. 

  Now I will say something that has nothing to do with what I have just said, but which perhaps concerns the command as such. y no I want to offend, I say it firsthand. Personally, when someone asks: "How can a process help inspire us?", I say that a few times I returned to my life, I felt inspired by a process. I am inspired by people who live life with enthusiasm. I think you came these days with the synodal team, but I will live in the Jubilee. And I think it's very important to understand that the Jubilee is an invitation to conversion, to reconciliation and to the new life that we receive from Jesus Christ. 

  And living this spirit —and we're talking about the spirituality of synodality—but it's the spirituality of the Gospel, of communion, of wanting to be Church. These are aspects that can truly inspire us to continue being Church and to build paths of inclusion, inviting many more people—everyone —to accompany us, to walk with us. And so I believe it's crucial in all of this that we all experience an authentic conversion and discover in our hearts, through all the elements we've discussed, an authentic spirituality that begins with listening to the Word of God, discerning the presence of the Spirit, where the Holy Spirit is calling us, and sharing this experience through methods such as conversation in the Spirit. Experiencing that closeness to Christ himself can kindle in our hearts the desire to be disciples, faithful missionary disciples on the journey. 

  When we live with this enthusiasm, with this conviction, we will see that many more people will truly want to join us and be builders of peace and communion. Thank you”

• Question Six - Women in the Church

  Read: Report and question from Europe

  Q: What hopes can women legitimately harbor in a synodal Church? Do you believe that a genuine cultural shift is underway in the Church, one that will make equality between women and men in the Church a lived reality in the future? 

  Holy Father:

  “Thank you, Professor, for your comment and also for this question. I'll begin with two very personal experiences, starting with my own family. I grew up in a Catholic family where my mother, and my father, both, were very, very active in the parish. Years ago, when there was a lot of talk in the United States—I'm talking about the 1970s—about equality between women and men, I said to my mother, "Do you want to be equal to men?" And she said, "No, because we're already better!" And she certainly wasn't joking. There are so many gifts that women have, which they could offer even then in many ways, in the life of the family, the parish. Not just my mother, but many but many women. 
  
  A second experience comes from Peru, where there is a congregation of religious women, consecrated women, whose charism is to work where there are no priests. They have the power to baptize, to assist at weddings. They do wonderful missionary work, which truly is a witness for many priests as well. This is the courage it takes to proclaim the Gospel, and they are women who do it! 

  So, regarding the question, leaving aside the more difficult issues, which are part of the work of a study group that's being presented, I think the problem isn't that there aren't any possibilities, but that there are cultural obstacles. And this must be acknowledged, because not all bishops or priests want to allow women to exercise what could very well be their role. There are cultures where women still suffer because of differences—as if they were second-class citizens, so to speak—and don't actually always have the same rights. So there's a challenge for the Church and for all of us, to see how we can  

  Together, we must promote respect for the rights of all; how can we foster a culture where these things become not only possible, but a reality, in the co-participation of all, each according to their own vocation, where everyone can exercise—let's say—a role of responsibility in the Church. We have seen many practical examples. But the reality is that culturally, not all countries are at the same point as Europe or the United States... And we cannot simply assume that by appointing a woman here or there to this or that position, she will be respected, because there are strong cultural differences that create problems. And so we need to talk about how the Church can be a force for conversion, the transformation of cultures, according to the values of the Gospel. 
  
  Unfortunately, often the way we live our faith is more determined by our culture and less by our evangelical values! This is where we can all be a force, an inspiration, an invitation to our nations, our communities, our cultures, to reflect on the differences that exist, and not just between men and women. In many countries, there are still differences based on class or rank in society: one cannot be appointed to such an office because others will reject him... There are prejudices and discriminations that exist and that clearly go against the Gospel, and we are often powerless in the face of these realities. 

  So there's certainly much to do. I believe the Church already offers opportunities to begin and continue this journey, and here too, we must be courageous, accompanying situations and realities so that, little by little, perhaps we can introduce changes, transformations in these cultures, where authentic discrimination can be eliminated and they can become communities where the gifts and charisms of each person are truly respected and valued. Thank you!”

• Question Seven - Synodal Conversion

  Read: Report and question from Asia

  Q: What message would you like to share with the Churches in Asia to encourage synodal conversion? 

  Holy Father:

  “The first thing that comes to mind is that I would like to say "thank you" to the Church in Asia. If anyone faces challenges - because of language and cultural differences, geographical distance, poverty, and many other realities that you confront - yet has worked as hard as you have and has arrived where you are today in living this process not only of synodality but also of promoting communion and conversion, then I think we all should say thank you and congratulations to you. 

  You said dialogue is essential for peaceful coexistence. I think that, because of many interreligious realities - realities that are not unique to Asia, of course, but are so widespread - given that, with the exception of the Philippines, if I am not mistaken, Christianity is a minority everywhere, to face the challenges that come with living the faith and being disciples of Jesus Christ, including in places where there is oppression and it is difficult to live the faith, I think there are many things before which we all need to bow down and respect the holy ground that Asia is for the present and future of the Church. 

  There is a sense of mystery and an understanding of the divine that is, I think, part of many of the religions in Asia, and this certainly opens the door to different kinds of interreligious dialogue. I think this is a treasure for the whole Church: Eastern and Western. I also believe it is something that is valued by many cultures in Asia, and something from which we also, I think, could learn. 

  Because of this, when we talk about the spirit, about the spirit of synodality and about "Conversation in the Spirit," there is, if you will, a mystical or contemplative element to it that perhaps we can continue to discover. I do not say "understand," because I think it goes far beyond understanding. But there is a contact with the divine from which we can all learn, including from many in Asia and in the East. 

  There are, of course, great challenges: the structural and economic realities that you deal with, and the difficulty of promoting even basic communication on a wide scale because of the limitations within the local Churches. These are realities that I think we need to confront together. I think that this synodal experience of building communion should inspire all of us, if you will, to be more generous in sharing resources, so that we can have perhaps greater equality and greater justice, even in the distribution of the goods and material blessings that many churches could share with others. Obviously, there are great challenges in doing that, yet, there are great efforts being made to do that already, of course, which should be recognized. It is an ongoing process.”

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