Nary a whimper

from The Pillar, a pithy observation of synodality: 

The pope will not issue an apostolic exhortation, telling delegates that  “what we have approved is sufficient.”

It was a funny way to end things, because the 28,000 word text calls for changes to canon law, and the creation of offices, and other concrete initiatives, which have to actually be taken up and put into motion by someone with executive authority — namely, the pope himself. 

But rather than choose to receive those recommendations and then issue a text saying he’ll implement them, the pope instead formally promulgated a document — carrying his authority — calling on him to do things, which he may or may not do.