Listening, walking together: Pope Francis' legacy of synodality

Pope Francis will be remembered not only for his profound humility and compassion but also for a fundamental shift he inspired in the Catholic Church: the revival of synodality. In calling the Church to become a “community that listens,” he reaffirmed a vision of faith that is less about hierarchy and more about journeying together — lay people, clergy, religious, and bishops — discerning the Spirit’s voice through mutual listening and dialogue.

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Synodality, as championed by Pope Francis, is not merely a method for ecclesiastical meetings. It is a way of being Church. It challenges the faithful to move beyond passive reception toward active participation, where communication and collaboration are not exceptions, but expectations. In everyday practice, this means fostering open dialogue within parishes, listening attentively to the experiences of the marginalized, and valuing the contributions of the laity as co-responsible agents of mission.