The XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (known more commonly as the Synod on Synodality) has concluded in Rome over the weekend, ending a month-long journey of listening and dialogue for the participants.
The Final Document of the second session was released over the weekend following the approval of the 155 paragraphs by the participants in the Synod on Saturday evening.
The Final Document is divided into five parts and in particular, challenges Bishops on their commitment to transparency and accountability. It also has a strong emphasis on the providing women a greater role within the Church.
On Saturday evening, Pope Francis thanked the members of the Synod for their work over the past month.
"For me, as Bishop of Rome, in convening the Church of God in Synod, I was aware that I needed all of you: Bishops and witnesses of the synodal journey. Thank you!" he said.
He made repeated references to the Second Vatican Council, calling for openness, harmony and humility.
"We must not behave as 'dispensers of grace' who appropriate the treasure by tying the hands of our merciful God," the Holy Father said.
He also reminded the assembly the Holy Spirit was the unifying force of the Church across all cultures, challenges and circumstances.
"The Holy Spirit calls and supports us in this learning, which we need to understand as a process of conversion," he said, adding that the synodal journey is "not an endpoint but a continuous process of conversion."
The Final Document has been published in Italian. It will be released in other languages in the coming days.
You can read the Final Document here.