Vatican experts Joshua McElwee and Christopher White discuss the opening of a major summit in Rome that could determine the very future of the Catholic Church. They interview Mercedarian Sr. Filo Hirota, one of seven members of the high-level commission that organized the ongoing October 2023 Synod of Bishops. Sr. Hirota says the synod, which Pope Francis has asked to confront big topics such as women's ordination, is helping the church "become normal" and "really touch the depths of our humanity."

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An earlier interview of Sr. Filo Hirota by Christopher White: Synodality is 'radically inclusive,' says Vatican committee member Sr. Filo Hirota

Christopher White's coverage of Pope Francis' new apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum: Pope Francis takes on climate deniers, 'irresponsible' Americans in new climate letter

Joshua McElwee and Christopher White's coverage of Pope Francis' opening message to the October 2023 synod: Opening momentous Vatican summit, Pope Francis begs church to 'not impose burdens'

Joshua McElwee and Christopher White's coverage of Pope Francis' letter suggesting the Catholic Church might bless same-sex unions: Pope signals openness to blessings for gay couples, study of women's ordination

Joshua McElwee and Christopher White's coverage of Dominican Fr. Timothy Radcliffe's retreat reflections for the October 2023 synod: 'Orthodoxy is spacious': At retreat, synod members hear about women's hopes, LGBTQ issues