In a surprise announcement this morning, Pope Francis has announced that the final, Roman phase of the ongoing Synod on Synodality will extend over two sessions from October 4-29, 2023, and in October 2024.

There is much speculation about how Pope Francis and Giorgia Meloni, the future prime minister of Italy, will relate to each other. Their positions on the migrant question appear to be diametrically opposed.

Cardinal Pedro Barreto Jimeno, S.J., explained that the now officially recognized body “involves bishops, priests, women and men religious and the lay faithful from the nine countries of the Amazon region.”

Reflecting his profound concern at the danger of an escalation of the war in Ukraine and the potential use of nuclear arms, Pope Francis called today for “an immediate ceasefire” to that war.

The cardinal who, until now, served as the Vatican’s chief archivist and librarian, had long been rumored to be named prefect of this newly created Vatican office.

For the first time in the nation’s history, a woman, Giorgia Meloni, 45, could become prime minister. She would lead Italy’s 70th government since 1946.

In the second part of this exclusive interview, Cardinal Grech reveals in new depth the plans for the continental and Roman phases of the global synodal process.

Starting Sept. 21, a team of 35 people "summoned from all continents" went to Frascati, outside Rome, to synthesize the reports from phase one of the synod.

Unknown gunmen fired upon the papal almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, as he and others attempted to deliver humanitarian aid in Ukraine on Saturday. No injuries were reported in the attack.

The new rector, Mark Lewis, S.J., also opened up about the Gregorian's upcoming merger with the Pontifical Biblical and Oriental Institutes.