Commenting on the Pope’s decision to extend the Synod on Synodality to 2024, the leaders of Germany’s synodal way said that “we welcome this step, which makes it clear that the Church is facing great challenges worldwide and is confronting them with the need for change.”

“The announcement of the global synod for the period Oct. 4-29, 2023, and for a second period of deliberation in October 2024, shows that Pope Francis considers synodality to be the decisive moment of change,” added Irme Stetter-Karp and Bishop Georg Bätzing.