During this pontificate, most synods have ended with the bishops involved writing a series of recommendations which are handed on to the pope. Months later, sometimes as much as a year, he responds in a formal declaration What follows is a list of synods since the Vatican council. The ordinary synod is the most common. The extraordinary synods are the least common, having taken place only twice, in 1969 and 1985. In theory, extraordinary synods deal with matters in need of immediate attention.
Special synods deal with matters concerning a particular region or nation.