The pope will create 20 new cardinals on Aug. 27. Sixteen of them are eligible to vote in a papal conclave, and 11 are from or based in countries outside Europe and North America.

As the diocesan phase of the synod ended on Aug. 15, America touched base with some well-informed sources for insight into how the synod has gone so far in the Amazon region and Asia.

Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego asked in the July/August issue of America whether synodality could “become a deeper element of Catholic life in the United States?” Our readers had a lot to say.

As the first phase of the worldwide synod concludes, there is great opportunity to consider what graces have been poured out, what we have learned and how we can continue the momentum we have created.

When we look at what is missing from our synodal processes, we can understand better the tasks and challenges ahead of us.

Bruce Botha, S.J., said one notable achievement of the synodal process was that many people who experienced themselves on the margins of the church felt that they were heard.