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Pope Francis opened the second session of the 16th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Wednesday 2 October. Reflecting on the role of the Holy Spirit, the Pope said:

"the Holy Spirit bends the stubborn heart and will, melts the frozen, warms the chill, and guides the steps that go astray."

He emphasised that the Spirit is ever present, especially in moments of sorrow and despair when humanity is faced with the temptations of hopelessness and division.

“The Holy Spirit wipes away our tears and comforts us because he communicates God’s gift of hope."

Speaking about the synodal process, the Pope went on to highlight that it was not just a momentary event but a continuous journey, one in which the Church can learn to better understand herself and discern the most effective ways to carry out her mission. Pope Francis described the synodal Assembly as a "plural subject," where bishops, laypeople, priests, and consecrated men and women work together in service to God’s mercy.

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You can find out more about the opening of this session on the Vatican News website here or read more about the Synodal process on our website, here.