The second week of the Synod began on Monday with an opening Mass at St Peter’s Basilica.
The participants then moved to Paul VI Hall for the presentation of the B1 Section of the Instrumentum Laboris.
During the work, they were asked to reflect on the question of “How can we be more fully a sign and instrument of union with God and of the unity of all humanity?”
The participants in the Synod once again broke into small groups, different from those of the previous week, and spent time listening to each other and listening to the Holy Spirit before drafting a group report to be submitted to the assembly.
The work on Tuesday and Wednesday centred on topics such as in the world, poverty, abuse, and sexual identity.
The conflict between Gaza and Israel was present for many members of the Synod and the participants engaged in a meditation, led by Cardinal Arthur Roche, who evoked the danger of a bloody war.
On Thursday morning, the small groups concluded and delivered their reports to the General Secretariat of the Synod, concluding work on the second module.
That afternoon, the participants got the chance to go on a Synodal Pilgrimage to the catacombs of San Sebastiano, San Callisto & the Domine Quo Vadis Church near the Appian Way, going to the roots of the Christian faith and the early Church.
On Friday, the Congregation began to address the third module of the Instrumentum laboris, on the theme: “Co-responsibility in Mission: How can we better share gifts and tasks in the service of the Gospel?”