By Ginaba Lino
Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sudan and South Sudan, joined thousands of delegates from around the world in Rome for the Jubilee Year of Hope for the Synodal Teams, held from October 24th to 26th, 2025.
The gathering, organized by the General Secretariat for the Synodal Teams, brought together over 2,000 participants representing Episcopal Conferences, dioceses, and Church communities engaged in the global synodal process. The three-day event served as a moment of conversion, discernment, and dialogue, marking an important milestone in the Church’s journey toward greater communion and participation.
Representing the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference were Cardinal Stephen Ameyu, Rev. Fr. Martin Ochaya, the Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference, and Rev. Fr. John Gbemboyo, the Pastoral Coordinator.
Throughout the celebration, participants reflected, prayed, and shared experiences and gifts, emphasizing the importance of listening to one another and discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit in today’s Church.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the assembly, receiving reports and questions from delegates. In his message, the Holy Father encouraged participants to embrace synodality as a way of being Church a path marked by humility, dialogue, and the acknowledgment of one another’s gifts for building the Body of Christ.
“Synodality calls for conversion and listening,” the Pope said, “and for the courage to walk together in faith, knowing that the Spirit continues to guide the Church.”
The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in 2021, seeks to deepen communion participation and mission within the Church. It emphasizes journeying together as the People of God called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel in unity.
The Jubilee Year of Hope gathering reaffirmed the commitment of synodal and participatory bodies across the globe to building an ever more inclusive and listening Church one that radiates hope “that does not disappoint.”