Pope Leo XIV Opens Extraordinary Consistory at the Vatican
Friday, 26 June — Pope Leo XIV convened the opening session of an Extraordinary Consistory at the Vatican, gathering 178 cardinals at St. Peter's Basilica for Mass before moving to Paul VI Hall for working group discussions.
Structure and Proceedings
The cardinals were divided into 18 working groups: eight groups of diocesan cardinal electors and ten groups comprising cardinals serving in the Roman Curia alongside non-elector cardinals.
Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio moderated the session. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, offered greetings, and Pope Leo XIV delivered an introductory address.
Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś presented a biblical meditation on the theme "In what kind of world are we called to proclaim the Gospel?" The morning session concluded with the Angelus, and an afternoon session was scheduled for 4:00 pm.
Discussion Themes
The cardinals held group discussions covering several topics, including:
- Sufferings, tensions, and questions facing the Church and society
- Signs of hope and fidelity to the Gospel
- Possible reconciliation within communities
Concerns Raised During Discussions
Increasing polarization, violence, lack of respect for religious and ethnic minorities, antisemitism, excessive individualism, family crisis, loneliness, economic challenges, distrust in institutions, secularization, loss of spiritual values, migration issues, ecological crisis, and corruption — these were among the pressing concerns voiced by the cardinals.
Regarding the Church's Role
Participants emphasized that the Church should present itself as a welcoming institution, renew parish life, speak on human dignity and peace, and offer credibility through engagement with those experiencing suffering. Synodality, charity, and solidarity were highlighted. Education and growing vocations were cited as signs of hope.
Pope's Address and Invitation
Pope Leo XIV thanked participants and stressed the importance of participation and dialogue. He noted that loneliness and suffering are consequences of contemporary society. According to the Pope, the Church responds by inviting communion and creating genuine encounters.
"I count on you to help me discern what the Spirit is saying to the Church today. I need your support: strong, explicit, and public. I need to feel sustained by you as brothers."
The Pope invited cardinals to offer explicit support and counsel, stating he needs their "freedom, frankness, and loyalty." He recalled that communion requires daily conversion, prayer, trusting relationships, and willingness to listen. He added that the consistory continues a conversation that assists him in his service of the Church.
Consistory Themes and Schedule
The consistory, scheduled to last until Saturday evening, focuses on four themes:
- The world in which the Church proclaims the Gospel — recognizing Jesus in history
- The culture of power versus the civilization of love — with recognition that many cardinals come from war-affected regions
- The Church's contribution to the common good of humanity — emphasizing shared responsibility and synodal style
- Continued implementation of the Synod on Synodality — gathering reflections under the lens of synodality as attitude and openness
The Pope invited cardinals to examine their local Churches in light of his encyclical Magnifica humanitas.