The Synod on Synodality has brought over 300 people together from all parts of the world—from South Africa to China to the United States.
Wyatt is the youngest participant of the Synod. At 19, he has served on mission trips and as a catechist in his home diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He says the presence of young people in the Synod responds to their desire to have a greater role in the Church.
WYATT OLIVAS
Student
ORIG. ENGLISH
I think it really shows that the youth of our Church really want responsibility. We have youth here already. A lot of the time, I feel the youth is seen as oh, the tomorrow of the Church or something like that. But no, we're already here. We're at the Synod. We're already here. So I think really taking serious young people and stuff like that. And young people showing that we're ready for this. We're ready for the responsibility.
For Wyatt, this Synod highlights the fact that every voice in the Church is important.
WYATT OLIVAS
Student
ORIG. ENGLISH
I don't hold significant roles in my diocese. I like to tell people I'm on the front lines because I'm just a catechist and stuff like that.
FLASH
The whole point of the Synod is to listen to everyone, right? And I think it's super important and super awesome that Pope Francis literally means everyone, like me, I'm just 19 years old and I'm from like a small little place and he's like, I wanna listen to you.
One moment that touched Wyatt during his first weeks here in Rome was meeting Pope Francis—an experience he described as different from what he was expecting.
WYATT OLIVAS
Student
ORIG. ENGLISH
Oh my goodness, I thought I was going to pass out. But going up to him, in line, my heart is like pounding. My heart's pounding and I'm like...I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen. But as soon as we locked eyes, this calmness just came over me and I was just like, oh my goodness. He's so human. I think we forget about that. He's just another human, important human, but yes.
Wyatt doesn't know exactly what the future holds for him after the month-long Synod assembly. But he says he is ready for the next adventure.
KG
