Looking back on my experience, the Synod on Synodality was a way of practicing the graces of listening, dialogue, and discernment in a prayerful manner. It is a new way of being church. Integrating prayer and discernment into common decision-making processes is an important part of the goal to become a more synodal Church, that is, more discerning in its ways of proceeding – in other words, a prayerful, humble, and listening Church.

I saw and experienced a truly diverse, world Church: African, Asian, Latino, European, American – eastern and western. I heard women speaking in their own right, with their own voices. I saw young people inviting the Church into the digital age. Pope Francis's way of leading the synod was quite discreet  and humble. He was present to accompany all the delegates, and he was a silent listener, speaking thoughtfully only when necessary. He modelled ecclesial listening.

- Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, Dean/Professor of Theology, Universal Synod Delegate

Pope Francis promoted a "revolution of tenderness." I remember his embrace of Vinicio Riva [the man with the condition that disfigured his face] in 2013 in St. Peter's Square. In this and so many other gestures, Pope Francis called the Church to an openhearted encounter. His vision of a synodal Church is bound up with the daring act of attending to people we might exclude. Pope Francis lived his faith in gestures that revealed Christ to the world.

- Stephen Szolosi, Director of Spiritual Formation

Pope Francis brought me closer to God by showing me what it meant to be in a position of service rather than a position of power. Pope Francis was not a CEO or a President; he was a servant to all the people of God, and in his trips and in his speeches, he showed true interest in the people of God.

- Fabio Colorado, Doctor of Sacred Theology student

Last October 2024, I was in Rome during the Synod on Synodality Second Congregation, and I attended the weekday Papal audience with some of our students. Pope Francis was fully alive, delighted, and joyful in this moment. He was traveling in circles around us, in this big crowd, and smiling, waving. At every chance he came to a small child, he lifted them up, hugged them, and gave out a small candy to them or to their parents. The happiness that filled us all— the smiles, the wonder —was deep and lasting. Pope Francis brought much joy from his life into the Catholic Church. I will miss his particularly human way of being engaged in life. I hope I too can offer that into my ministry and my life as well.

- Jenny Girard Malley, Assistant Dean, Student and Community Life

As my spiritual father, Pope Francis challenges me personally through the example of his life, to love God and humanity authentically and to uphold the dignity of every person. I still carry the impact of his letter to religious men and women, where he said, “A gloomy religious does not bear witness to Christ!” Speaking as a fellow religious, he reminded us to “wake up the world” (Rejoice! A letter to consecrated men and women, 3).  I felt deeply encouraged to live my consecrated life with joy, a joy that flows from my personal relationship with Jesus and of knowing that I am being loved by God with the fondest love!

- Maureen Ahyuwa, Doctoral Student of Pastoral and Practical Theology