Vatican City, 26 June 2025
On the afternoon of Thursday, 26 June 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV visited the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Synod, where he presided over the afternoon session of the meeting of the XVI Ordinary Council, of which he serves as President.
Following the greeting by the Secretary General, Cardinal Mario Grech, the Holy Father addressed the members of the Ordinary Council (the full text of the address is available in Italian), highlighting that “synodality is a style, an attitude that helps us to be Church, fostering authentic experiences of participation and communion.” A period of dialogue and exchange followed, during which the Holy Father was informed, among other things, about developments in the synodal journey at the local level.
The meeting took place in a spirit of fraternity and warm cordiality, and concluded with a moment of prayer.
Photographs from the Holy Father’s visit are available here.
A press release outlining the conclusions of the Ordinary Council’s meeting will be issued on the morning of Monday, 30 June.
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The XVI Ordinary Council was elected during the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (2–27 October 2024). It is tasked, among other responsibilities, with the preparation and implementation of the Ordinary General Assembly (Episcopalis Communio, art. 24).