Pope Francis’ Synodality at Continental Crossroads. Experiences of Hope, Pain, and Tension on the European level of the 2023-2024 Synod of Bishops

The paper examines how Pope Francis uses synodality to promote the reception of Vatican II while considering the challenges posed by globalization and cultural diversity, especially but not exclusively at the European continental level. This is especially relevant because the 2023 Instrumentum Laboris focuses on the Church’s engagement with Western and other cultures while trying to avoid (neo)colonial tendencies. This inspires two approaches: the first path emphasizes cultural interactions within synodal processes, while the other scrutinizes the particularity and tensions of cultural identities. Following this second line, the paper critiques the continental dimension of synodal processes, warning against the essentialization of cultural narratives. By exploring tensions within European culture and drawing parallels with (past) synodal experiences, I aim to unravel ecclesiological implications. Finally, I conclude by proposing lessons learned from the European continental phase to improve future synodal efforts, mindful of the hope, tensions, and hurt generated by it.