Pope Leo XIV meets German nuncio as bishops prepare synodal conference vote

Pope Leo XIV met Friday with the apostolic nuncio to Germany, Archbishop Nikola Eterović, amid reports that their talks focused on the German bishops’ planned vote to establish a permanent Synodal Conference that would grant laypeople decision-making authority equal to bishops. Pope Leo XIV now faces the question of how and whether to intervene, amid concerns that the German initiative could escalate into a schism within the universal Church.