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Vatican summit on family concludes with vague but open document

For three weeks in October, Roman Catholic bishops held their most significant and contested gathering in the past 50 years.

The synod of 270 cardinals and bishops from around the world was the second called by Pope Francis to address whether Catholicism could adapt its teachings to the changing realities of modern family life.

While the delegates made hundreds of suggestions on a host of issues, two took center stage: Could the church be more welcoming to gay and lesbian churchgoers? And was there a way divorced and remarried Catholics could receive communion without first obtaining an annulment of their marriage?