Vatican: Pope Francis has officially launched a new chapter in the Church’s synodal journey by endorsing a structured accompaniment process set to culminate in an Ecclesial Assembly in 2028.

Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod’s General Secretariat, has announced that a special post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly will convene in the Vatican in October 2028. This gathering will mark the culmination of a three-year period dedicated to implementing the conclusions of the recent Synod. 

In a letter addressed to bishops, eparchs, patriarchs, and major archbishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches, Cardinal Grech clarified that this assembly is not a new Synod but rather a stage in the application of the outcomes of the three-year Synod on the theme: "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission," which concluded in October 2024.

Pope Francis emphasized that the Final Document of the 16th General Assembly is part of the ordinary Magisterium of the Successor of Peter and must be embraced accordingly. Cardinal Grech further explained that this requires local Churches and Church communities to actively implement the document’s directives through processes of discernment and decision-making.

A Concrete Expression of Church-wide Dialogue

Cardinal Grech underscored that this implementation phase is not merely about applying top-down instructions but involves a dynamic process of receiving the Final Document in ways that are contextually appropriate to different cultures and communities. The goal is to deepen exchanges and dialogue both between Churches and within the Church itself.

Engaging Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Persons, and Laypeople

A key element of this phase is ensuring the continued involvement of those who contributed to the Synod. This will allow for a collective discernment process that reflects the voices of all the Churches. Essential to this effort will be synodal teams made up of priests, deacons, consecrated individuals, and laypeople, working closely with their bishops. Cardinal Grech has urged that these teams be supported, renewed, and reinforced as needed.

Study Groups and Canon Law Commission Contributions.

This broader framework will also integrate the work of the ten Study Groups Pope Francis established in March 2024 to examine critical issues raised during the 16th Synodal Assembly’s first session in 2023. Additionally, contributions from the Canonical Commission, which has been active since 2023 in collaboration with the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, will be incorporated into the process.

The Jubilee of Synodal Teams.

Cardinal Grech outlined key milestones in this accompaniment phase, beginning with the announcement of the process in May and followed by the publication of a detailed execution plan. A significant moment will be the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, scheduled for October 24-26, aligning with the broader theme of hope in the ongoing Holy Year.

A Three-Year Journey Leading to 2028

The timeline includes evaluation Assemblies at diocesan, eparchial, national, and international levels between the first and second semesters of 2027. This will be followed by continental evaluation Assemblies in early 2028, leading to the publication of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Ecclesial Assembly in October 2028.

A Call to Prayer for Pope Francis

Cardinal Grech concluded his letter with an appeal for prayers for Pope Francis’ health, as he has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic since February 14.