The distinguished Australian Jesuit Frank Brennan, SJ (whom Boston College had the pleasure of hosting during the academic year 2014-2015 as its Gasson Professor) has written a very insightful piece on the pope, the synod, and the letter from the twelve bishops. What I found particularly useful was his situating that letter in the context of past synods. 

  It is so good he is to be forgiven for being in a place where summer is just beginning, as his friends in Boston head into winter. (My puppy Ziva encountered frost this morning. She was not pleased).