Pope Francis takes part in a moment of reflection for the opening of the synodal path at the Vatican's New Synod Hall, Oct. 9, 2021. / Screenshot from Vatican News YouTube channel.Vatican City, Oct 9, 2021 / 03:45 am (CNA).Pope Francis urged Catholics on Saturday to be conscious of three "risks" as they embark on the path to the 2023 synod on synodality.Speaking at an event marking the opening of the two-year process leading to the synod on Oct. 9, the pope said that proceedings could be impeded by "formalism," "intellectualism," and "the temptation of complacency."Screenshot from Vatican News YouTube channel.Addressing the first risk, he said: "If we want to speak of a synodal Church, we cannot remain satisfied with appearances alone; we need content, means, and structures that can facilitate dialogue and interaction within the People of God, especially between priests and laity." "Why do I emphasize this? Because sometimes there is some elitism in the presbyteral order that ma...