This Wednesday, the first extraordinary consistory of the pontificate of Leo XIV opens in the Vatican, just one day after the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The meeting brings together cardinals from all over the world and has been presented by the Pope himself as a moment of “communion and fraternity, of reflection and exchange”, intended to help him in the responsibility of governing the universal Church, according to Il Giornale.
In a letter sent to the members of the College of Cardinals—and previewed by the Italian media—Leo XIV emphasized the consultative nature of the consistory and proposed as a basis for reflection the re-reading of two key documents of his predecessor: Evangelii gaudium and Praedicate evangelium. In addition, he pointed out synodality and liturgy as topics of “particular relevance”.
Beginning of the proceedings and detailed program
The accreditation operations for the cardinals begin today at noon in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall. After a brief welcome coffee, the proceedings begin formally at 3:30 p.m. in the new Synod Hall, with a communal prayer.
Next, Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re takes the floor, who delivers the initial greeting. Then the Pope intervenes with an introductory speech, followed by the presentation of the method and development of the proceedings.
Three sessions and group work
The consistory develops in three sessions spread over two days. The program, sent to the cardinals with little advance notice, provides for the formation of working groups, from which collective reports will later emerge.
This method was already used in the meeting of cardinals on the reform of the Curia at the end of the summer of 2022, although it is not part of the traditional scheme of consistories. On that occasion, the inability to intervene before the plenary assembly generated some discomfort among certain cardinals. Also then, the groups were organized according to linguistic criteria, with uneven results.
According to Il Giornale, the cardinals learn the definitive criteria for the formation of the groups after the Pope’s initial intervention. This modality had not been mentioned in the first call sent on November 7 by the cardinal dean.
Lunch with the Pope and closing of the consistory
The first session concludes today at 6:45 p.m. with a new intervention by the Pope and a final prayer. The proceedings resume tomorrow morning, after the celebration of Mass at the Chair Altar, with the opening of the second session.
In this phase, the presentations of the working groups’ reports are scheduled, followed, starting at noon, by free interventions from the cardinals on the topics addressed. Subsequently, the members of the College of Cardinals share lunch with the Pope.
The third and final session begins at 3:15 p.m., bringing to an end the first extraordinary consistory of the pontificate of Leo XIV.
EXTRAORDINARY CONSISTORY
January 7-8, 2026
New Synod Hall – Paul VI Hall
Wednesday, January 7
from 12:30 to 15:00: welcome and delivery of accreditation and documentation
from 14:00: welcome coffee in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall
15:30 Introduction
Opening prayer
Greeting by His Eminence Rev. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals
Meditation
Introductory intervention by the Holy Father
Presentation of the proceedings and instructions for group work
FIRST SESSION
h. 16:15 – 19:00
16:15 Group work
18:00 Group reports
18:45 Intervention by the Holy Father and concluding prayer
Thursday, January 8
7:30 Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica – Chair Altar
The cardinals who will participate in the concelebration are requested to present themselves before 7:00 in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, bringing with them the white damask mitre.
Followed by: coffee service in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall.
SECOND SESSION
h. 9:30 – 12:45
9:30 Prayer
Introduction
9:45 Group work
11:00 Break
11:30 Group reports
12:00 Free interventions on the topic
Angelus
13:00 Lunch with the Holy Father in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall.
THIRD SESSION
h. 15:15 – 19:00
15:15 Prayer
Introduction
15:30 Group work
17:00 Break
17:30 Group reports
18:00 Free interventions on the topic
18:45 Concluding intervention by the Holy Father
Te Deum