One of the less kind names for the Synod on Synodality was the “meeting about meetings”. Now we have the report about reports.

Pope Francis established 10 study groups in February 2024 to consider topics raised at the first Rome assembly of the Synod in October 2023 – from the cry of the poor to the nature of episcopacy – which he feared would deny others oxygen at the second assembly a year later. It was a pragmatic device to keep the show on the road, though also a bit like ignoring a brown envelope in the post. The groups had been due to report to the Pope in June, but a month or so of disruption for Francis’ funeral and the conclave won them an extension to December, with the promise of an update on their progress in the meantime.

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