Pope Francis received members of the Apostolic Tribunal of the Roman Rota on Thursday at the start of their judicial year. Speaking to those gathered, he reflected on the theme of synodality with regard to annulment cases, reminding them that their mission is to be at the service of families. The Pope underlined that synodal work should see dialogue placed alongside judicial activity, in order to encourage a more general rethinking of the importance of the canonical process "for those who have experienced a marriage breakdown and, at the same time, for the harmony of relationships within the ecclesial community."