Pope Francis' recent words to members of the synod on synodality included a strong condemnation of clericalism and a call to respect and honor of all baptized Catholics.

In a new letter to the People of God, the synod participants emphasized the importance of continued discernment for the Church's future.

President Joe Biden and Pope Francis spoke by phone Oct. 22 to discuss the conflict in Israel and Gaza and facilitating a path to “durable peace” in the region.

The letter, the drafting of which was approved by the synod assembly, will be discussed both during small group working sessions and among the entire assembly Oct. 23.

“Synodality helps us a lot because it is the communities that tell us how to be a church, rather than a bishop telling the people how to be church,” Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner of Manaus, Brazil, said.

Bishop Rolando Álvarez was not among the names of the priests listed. Álvarez was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced in February to 26 years in prison.