According to La Croix, Bergoglio has called for the Italian bishops to work towards a synod.  The beginning of this article says this but it is a pay site and I'm not going to pay for a subscription.
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https://international.la-croix.com/news/signs-of-the-times/traditionalists-its-time-to-choose/13731
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But I have a couple of questions for those more knowlegeable than I.  The Italian bishops already have an episcopal conference as does, I'm sure, virtually every country or group of countries (i.e., a group of very small countries).  So...what is the actual difference between an episcopal conference and a synod?  Why would Bergoglio want the Italian bishops to work towards a synod when they can discuss whatever it is he wants them to discuss in their episcopal conference?  
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Anyone who actually knows what the real differences are, I'd appreciate the enlightenment.