Women, peace, and synodality: A “Church going forth” considering the legacy of Pope Francis

Abstract

This article examines the universal mission of women in fostering a lasting and inclusive culture of peace in the contemporary world, in light of the legacy of Pope Francis, drawing on Evangelii Gaudium, Laudato Si’, Fratelli Tutti, Querida Amazonia, and Laudate Deum. Within a context of global polarization, it highlights the proposal of a Church that goes forth, synodal and open to the diversity of peoples, in which women play a fundamental role as mediators of the culture of encounter, universal fraternity, and care for creation. The article argues that their mission is embedded in the dynamism of the Holy Spirit, in evangelization, and in the promotion of a culture of peace that integrates social, ecological, and spiritual dimensions. The legacy of Pope Francis is interpreted as a call to care for life, creation, and human relationships, as well as a relational, transformative, and ecological engagement capable of fostering dialogue, co-responsibility, and the overcoming of exclusionary structures. In this perspective, the mission of women emerges as essential for the construction of a synodal Church and a reconciled world in Jesus Christ.