If the Synod of Bishops on Synodality is this fall’s Catholic equivalent of the Super Bowl, the next few days are similarly chock-full of what might be described as pre-game activities.

Giorgio Napolitano, a former leader of Italy’s Communist party, was a non-believer, and in accord with his wishes, his funeral Tuesday will be a civil ceremony, the first time a former head of state...

Shortly after the new list was published, some Italian media outlets speculated that Cardinal Luis Ladaria’s decision to opt out of the synod was related to the case of Slovene Jesuit Father Marko...