VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — The Vatican’s press office released details of the upcoming Synod on Synodality starting later this month, which, like last year, includes a list of heterodox attendees invited by Pope Francis.

While the Synod begins on Monday, September 30, with all participants taking part in a two-day retreat, meetings do not begin in earnest until Wednesday, October 2. According to the Vatican’s press office, the Synod has 368 “members” who have voting rights. Approximately 272 of these are bishops, 96 are non-bishops.

READ: Here’s what will take place at the Synod on Synodality this October

Other “participants” who do not hold voting rights include 70 “experts” along with ecumenical delegates and special invitees.

Compared with last year’s members, there are only 26 changes. From the U.S., Baltimore Archbishop William Lori will replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Meanwhile, Francis’ personal picks for the Synod remain largely the same, though controversial figures such as Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio will join other equally controversial figures already also personally selected by Francis, including Cardinals Blase Cupich, Jozef De Kesel, Wilton Gregory, Robert McElroy and Father James Martin, S.J.

But also making Francis’ personal selection is Bishop Rolando José Alvarez, the exiled bishop of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, who has been living in the Vatican since earlier this year after being expelled from the country.

LifeSite will provide detailed and daily coverage of the Synod on Synodality on the ground during the entire length of the proceedings. Updates will be posted on LifeSiteNews.com and on X/Twitter account of LifeSite’s Vatican correspondent.