Several cardinals have emphasized the importance of peace, unity, and listening as they began this Wednesday the extraordinary consistory convened by Pope Leo XIV, the first of its kind since his election. They stated this in statements to the National Catholic Register upon entering the opening session of the meeting, which is taking place in Rome on January 7 and 8.
The participants agreed in positively valuing the Pope’s decision to gather the College of Cardinals in a two-day meeting, conceived by the Vatican as a strictly consultative gathering, behind closed doors, focused on prayer, reflection, and common discernment to support the Pontiff in the governance of the universal Church.
A meeting centered on four major themes
The consistory addresses four main axes: the role of the College of Cardinals in the governance of the Pope, the future of synodality, the reform of the Roman Curia, and general issues related to the liturgy. The interventions are carried out mostly in working groups, which later convey their conclusions to the designated moderators.
Despite some reservations expressed due to the proximity of the meeting to the solemnity of the Epiphany and the limited time allocated to plenary interventions, the majority of the world’s cardinals have attended the call.
Listening and collegiality
Cardinal Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, described the consistory as “a moment of grace, exchange, deepening, and listening,” and stated that he attends with “an open heart.” In the same vein, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, from Luxembourg, highlighted that the priority must be to listen to each other and that, after that process, it is up to the Pope to make the decisions.
Hollerich also noted that, following the disappearance of the so-called C9—the council of nine cardinals that advised the Pope during the previous pontificate—it might be appropriate to recover some stable consultative body with representation from all continents.
Peace, liturgy, and synodality
Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, indicated that the conversations will likely focus on the Gospel, the liturgy, and the continuity of the synodal path. He emphasized that his main personal concern is peace in the world and that the goal is to advance toward more practical applications of documents such as Evangelii gaudium and Praedicate Evangelium.
On liturgical issues, some cardinals noted that the topic of the traditional Roman rite might arise in the conversations, although with diverse approaches. In general, the statements gathered reflect a climate of dialogue and prudent exchange, without immediate expectations of concrete decisions.
A gesture of consultation at the beginning of the pontificate
The cardinals agreed in valuing the consistory as a significant gesture of consultation at the beginning of the pontificate. For several of them, the fact that the Pope has gathered the entire College of Cardinals a few months after his election facilitates mutual knowledge and strengthens the collegial dimension of the Petrine ministry.
The consistory will continue this Thursday with new working sessions and dialogue among the cardinals.