It was organized by the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), under the guidance of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
The conference used a tool wiki for the preparation of texts for discussion.
The Conference was opened by Benedict XVI in Aparecida on 13 May and ended on 31 May 2007.
The theme of the Fifth Conference was: "Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ so that our peoples may have life in Him," inspired by a passage from the Gospel of John, who narrates "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" (Jn 14, 6).
At the Aparecida Conference, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio – later Pope Francis – was elected by his brother bishops to chair the important committee charged with drafting the final document.