Rome, Jan 7, (dpa/GNA) – Pope Leo XIV is welcoming cardinals from around the world to the Vatican for the first time, for a special summit meeting to discuss the future of the Catholic Church.
Commencing on Wednesday and concluding on Thursday, the pontiff is holding his first extraordinary consistory – a gathering of all the cardinals of the universal Church – since his election last May.
Such a gathering is extremely rare. Unlike ordinary consistories, which can take place several times a year, an extraordinary consistory convenes not only the cardinals residing in Rome, but all 245 cardinals. The consistory is considered the Pope’s most important advisory body.
The Vatican has not officially announced what Leo intends to discuss with the cardinals at the consistory. The announcement of the meeting merely stated that the joint sessions are intended to offer the head of the Catholic Church “support and advice in the exercise of his high and responsible task in the leadership of the universal Church”.
However, according to the Vatican News portal, the agenda includes discussion of two key reform documents by Leo’s predecessor, Francis.
The right of all Catholics to have a say in the Church and the relationship between the Roman Curia and the local churches, could also be topics of discussion. The controversial issue of the old Latin Mass could also be discussed.
Francis, who died last April, relied less on consistories or the College of Cardinals as a whole in leading the Church. Instead, he appointed a so-called Council of Cardinals with nine members, who met with Francis every few months.
The convening of the consistory could indicate that Leo wants to respond to the cardinals’ desire to be more involved.
GNA