Originally published at National Catholic Register
The Synod on Synodality is the fifth synod of Pope Francis’ pontificate. It marks the first time he has chosen to forgo writing a post-synodal apostolic exhortation in favor of adopting the text drafted by the synod participants.
In an unexpected move at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Saturday evening, Pope Francis ratified the final report, approved its immediate publication, and said he will not publish a separate post-synodal document.
The Pope is permitted in canon law to ratify the final document of a Synod of Bishops, giving more power to the assembly’s “guidelines” — something that has never been done before.
“I want, in this way, to recognize the value of the completed synodal journey, which through this document I hand over to the holy faithful people of God,” the pope said in a live-streamed address to synod participants in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall Oct. 26.
“That is why I do not intend to publish an apostolic exhortation, what we have approved is enough,” he said. “There are already very concrete indications in the document that can be a guide for the mission of the Churches, on the different continents, in the different contexts:
