"In Ecclesiarum Communione": la struttura della Chiesa particolare dell'Urbe e l'impronta sinodale nell'esercizio della potestà vicaria

The Apostolic Constitution In Ecclesiarum Communione was promulgated by Pope Francis on 6th January 2023 and represents one of the first results of the project of synodality which should inspire the organization of the particular Churches. In fact, the new organization of the Vicariate of Rome places the trinomial Pontiff, Episcopal Council, Cardinal Vicar at the center of decision-making, and reorganizes the competences of these bodies in order to achieve two objectives. The first is to realize the effective exercise of the papal power over his own diocese, the second is to promote horizontal synodality, i.e., the participation of a plurality of people and entities in consultative and pastoral dynamics. In developing these principles, the Apostolic Constitution redraws the boundaries of vicarious power and, albeit in a different social context, offers suggestive references to some historical precedents of the organization of the Vicariate of Rome. However, some open questions remain, above all in terms of individuation of personal responsibilities and vertical synodality, which consists in the possibility of turning to higher control and revision bodies.