Rome, January 7 – Pope Leo XIV convened a special consistory in Rome, gathering 170 cardinals from around the globe, where he underscored the paramount importance of unity and dialogue within the Church. The Pontiff, addressing both elector and non-elector cardinals, articulated a vision of collaborative governance, stating, “I need to rely on you. You called this servant, and it is important that we discern together.”
A Call for Unity and Dialogue
The consistory, held eight months after many of the assembled cardinals voted for Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel, served as a platform for the Pope to outline his leadership style. His opening remarks in the Synodal Hall directly referenced a core concern of the conclave: “Unity attracts, division disperses.” He drew a parallel to physics, noting, “It seems to me that physics also finds this, both in the micro and macrocosm.”
Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Christian commandment to love one another, emphasizing, “We must first and foremost practice Christ’s commandment, the only one He gave us after washing the disciples’ feet: ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another.'”
Diversity and Collegiality
Acknowledging the diverse backgrounds of the cardinals, the Pope stated, “We are a very varied group, enriched by multiple origins, cultures, ecclesial and social traditions, educational and academic paths, pastoral experiences and, of course, personal traits and characters.” He added, “For this reason, we are called first and foremost to know each other and to dialogue in order to work together in the service of the Church.” He expressed hope that this gathering would foster greater communion and offer a model of collegiality.
The cardinals, who began working in groups without the Pope in the afternoon, prioritized discussions on “synodality” – walking together – and the mission of the Church. Two other significant issues, Curia reform and liturgy, were set aside for later consideration.
Liturgy and the Legacy of Vatican II
For weeks, traditionalist factions online had hoped the consistory would address the long-standing issue of the Tridentine Mass in Latin. While Joseph Ratzinger had granted freedom to celebrate with the Missale Romanum in 2007, his successor introduced stricter limitations. Pope Leo XIV, aiming to heal divisions, praised the “important liturgical reform” initiated by the Council, which placed “the mystery of salvation and the active and conscious participation of the entire People of God at its center.”
During his morning audience with the faithful, Pope Leo XIV announced a new series of catecheses dedicated to “the Second Vatican Council and the re-reading of its documents.” He explained, “Even if the time that separates us from this event is not very long, it is equally true that the generation of Bishops, theologians, and believers of Vatican II is no longer with us today. Therefore, while we feel the call not to extinguish its prophecy and to continue to seek ways and means to implement its intuitions, it will be important to get to know it again closely, and to do so not through ‘hearsay’ or the interpretations that have been given to it, but by re-reading its Documents and reflecting on their content.” He firmly asserted, “This is, in fact, the Magisterium that still constitutes the guiding star of the Church’s journey today.”
Cultivating a Style of Conversation
The consistory is scheduled for only two days, with the primary goal of cultivating a specific style of interaction. Pope Leo XIV clarified, “We must not arrive at a text, but continue a conversation that will help me in my service for the mission of the entire Church.” He further instructed, “Tomorrow we will address the two chosen topics, with the following guiding question: looking at the path of the next one or two years, what attentions and priorities could guide the action of the Holy Father and the Curia on the matter?” Pope Leo XIV reiterated his commitment to listening.
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, in his introductory meditation, urged the cardinals to remain steadfast with the Pope, stating, “Jesus commanded the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him. Peter must not face the storm alone. This is our first obedience: to remain in Peter’s boat, with the successor of Jesus, as he faces the storms of our time. We cannot stay on the beach saying: ‘I wouldn’t set sail today’ or ‘I’d prefer another boat.’ Jesus is alone on the mountain, but Peter must not be left without company.”
Radcliffe concluded by emphasizing the Church’s role in a divided world: “We too live in times of terrible storms, marked by increasing violence, from armed crime to war. The gap between rich and poor is widening ever more. The global order born after the last world war is crumbling. We do not yet know what outcomes Artificial Intelligence will produce. If we are not already worried, we should be. The Church itself is shaken by its own storms: sexual abuse and ideological divisions. The Lord calls us to navigate these storms and face them with truth and courage, without timidly waiting on the shore. If we do so in this Consistory, we will see Him come to meet us. If, on the other hand, we remain hidden on the shore, we will not meet Him.”
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