On June 26 and 27, Pope Leo XIV will gather the entire College of Cardinals for an extraordinary consistory, an essential instrument of unity.
Pope Leo XIV has invited the 241 members of the Sacred College to the Vatican this Friday to participate in an extraordinary consistory. According to canon law, the pope can convene such a meeting “when the special needs of the Church and more serious matters suggest it,” so that the cardinals can assist him. This consistory is called “extraordinary,” as opposed to “ordinary” consistories. The latter can be private or public, and involve only the cardinals present in Rome. A public consistory is used to create new cardinals.
As the name indicates, an extraordinary consistory is theoretically the most exceptional. Pope Benedict XVI never convened one, favoring closed-door ordinary consistories (five in total). Pope Francis convened only two extraordinary consistories: one in 2014 concerning the Synod on the Family, and one in 2022 regarding the reform of the Roman Curia.
Francis didn’t use ordinary consistories as part of his governance, instead selecting a number of cardinals representative of the globe, for a Council of Cardinals, with whom he met regularly. Cardinals residing outside Rome expressed a desire after Francis’ death for Church governance to better reflect a collegial dimension. This would ensure the role of the College isn’t limited solely to electing a pope.
In this context, Pope Leo XIV decided to make the extraordinary consistory a key instrument of his governance. He is thus remaining faithful to the requests that emerged during the conclave. Leo XIV hasn’t convened an ordinary consistory yet. However, he’s preparing to hold his second extraordinary consistory this June. This follows the January meeting where he announced his intention to organize such an event annually starting in 2027.
A dense program
For Leo XIV, this consistory serves to collect the orientations and perspectives of the cardinals in Rome, but especially those around the world, on important themes. He proposed four options in January, and the cardinals ultimately chose to work on two key themes from Francis’ pontificate: synodality (the participative and inclusive dimension of the Church) and evangelization.
These topics remain on the June meeting’s schedule and will be explored in greater depth. The first session will focus on how the Catholic Church should proclaim the Gospel. The second will examine the implementation of the Synod on Synodality — a major project launched by Pope Francis to make the Church more open.
Two other discussion periods are planned. The first will address questions raised by the encyclical Magnifica humanitas concerning the Church’s social doctrine. This session will notably look at the document’s questioning of the “just war” concept; the encyclical expressed reservations about its adaptation to the contemporary context.
The second exchange will focus on current fractures within modern societies. It will also focus on the needs of people the Church doesn’t listen to enough, using the concept of the “common good” as a starting point.
As in January, these discussions will be rigorously timed and largely take place in small groups. The program also provides brief periods for open interventions. As with the previous meeting, active cardinals residing outside Rome will take priority over retired cardinals or those working in the Roman Curia.
The Leo XIV method
Several trends are emerging from this new governance model. First is the idea that the major themes of his pontificate, including those outlined in his encyclical, must be discussed and matured with the cardinals in a collegial setting. This style is well received; in January, every cardinal who was interviewed praised the Holy Father’s willingness to listen. The Pope also takes his time when reflecting on major issues, using the cardinals’ work to guide his decision-making process.
This particularly applies to cardinals ministering outside Rome. The Pope’s stated goal is to use them to elevate the voices of Christians worldwide. He pays special attention to on-the-ground experience, prioritizing lesser-known voices over Curia officials. The former missionary to Peru favors peripheral and impoverished regions. In fact, he announced a financial solidarity fund to ensure everyone can afford to attend the consistory.
Interventions will be strictly limited to three minutes, reflecting the Pope’s desire for a concise and effective approach. He clearly encourages group work to help identify general trends.
Invested in synodality
In both form and substance, the Pontiff confirms he genuinely intends to invest in the concept of synodality. Leo XIV is applying this even at the highest levels of Church leadership. He isn’t just following the timeline inherited from Pope Francis, which includes an implementation phase lasting until the 2028 assembly. For Leo XIV, a certain form of synodality can serve Church unity. “Upon leaving, we felt that everyone was at peace,” a cardinal noted last January.
“I feel the need to be able to count on you!” the Pope told the cardinals.
