SW News: The Holy Father Pope Francis has released his prayer intention for the month of October. The intention of this month’s prayer is “A Church that is open to everyone”. In his customary message at the onset of every month, the pontiff said that the Church should be one of synodality, which means walking together, along the same path.

Pope Francis began by asking “What does it mean 'to synod'?” and answered that it means walking together: He added that in Greek, the word synod means to walk together, and to walk on the same road.

Synodality is walking together and listening to one another but above all to the Holy Spirit. “Without the Spirit, there is no Synod,” he stressed. “This is what God expects of the Church that it regains its awareness of having to travel together. It means listening to each other and opening doors to those outside the Church. The synod isn’t a survey; it’s about listening to the protagonist, the Holy Spirit. It’s about praying. Without prayer, there will be no Synod.”

His Holiness the pope also invoked the Holy Spirit on the People of God so that they will be able to move forward together, to listen to one another and discern our times, in solidarity with the struggles and aspirations of all humanity. He prayed “that the Church, ever faithful to the Gospel and courageous in preaching it, may live in an increasing atmosphere of synodality and be a community of solidarity, fraternity, and welcome.”

There was also a two-minute video showing images of people walking, praying and attending classes together. The pontiff dwelt on how the synodality of the Church is achieved, namely, through communion, participation, and mission.

Pope Francis also urged believers to "take advantage of this opportunity to be a Church of closeness, which is God’s style –closeness", as well as asking that we "give thanks to all the people of God who, with their attentive listening, are walking the synodal way".

In the end, the Pope prayed for the living in an increasing atmosphere of synodality and being a community of “solidarity, fraternity, and welcome.”