History has separated Christians "but we are on the way towards reconciliation and communion", Pope Francis said at today's general audience (full text, short video, full video). A bishop has said that Nigerian Christians must do everything they can to defend themselves from "Satanist-driven Islamic organisations". John Thavis explains why "this synod is proving especially difficult for reporters". John Allen says that the concept of "gradualism" is "back with a vengeance" in Rome. Elizabeth Scalia suggests lay people are proving to be the stars of the synod. Robert Royal hears Francis's critics in Rome calling the Pope "a Peron" and “a Latin dictator”. And Francis gave a lift on the Popemobile to two schoolboys before today's general audience. Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.