As the Holy Land marked a grim first anniversary Oct. 7 of the Hamas attack on southern Israel, the papal almoner raised $35,000 in one afternoon from synod delegates and immediately sent it to Holy Family Parish in Gaza City.

Pope Francis will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back to the Vatican Oct. 11.

What real changes can we expect from the Synod on Synodality? How is the Vatican responding to the rapidly expanding war in the Middle East? And who is rumored to succeed Pope Francis? Colleen Dulle and Gerard O'Connell tackle your burning questions in a special mailbag episode of “Inside the Vatican.”

Francis has revolutionized the College of Cardinals by passing over large archdioceses like Los Angeles, Venice and Milan in favor of picking men from the peripheries who reflect his pastoral orientation and concern for the poor. 

The study groups are investigating questions such as how to improve seminary education, ministry to LGBTQ Catholics and possible ministry roles for women in the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals on December 8, 20 of whom can vote for a new pope. Among them are Frank Leo, archbishop of Toronto, and Timothy Radcliffe, former master of the Dominicans.