Synod a Reminder of 'Very Acute' Needs Across World

Pope Francis' ongoing summit on the future of the Catholic Church, which has drawn some 450 delegates from across the globe for closely watched discussions at the Vatican, is a sign to the world that there are "very acute and very pressing" needs right now in many countries, said Cardinal Michael Czerny. In an exclusive interview with National Catholic Reporter, Czerny said the Oct. 4-29 Synod of Bishops is "a reminder that our prayer is not dictated by what are the headlines, no matter how alarming, but by the needs of God's people, and those needs are very acute and very pressing, really, around the world."