CT News
Jan. 8, 2026 : Pope Leo XIV has opened his first extraordinary consistory in the Vatican following the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The closed-door, two-day gathering from January 7 - 8 brings together cardinals from around the world to address issues of exceptional importance for the universal Church. All cardinals have been summoned, marking the first extraordinary consistory since those convened by Pope Francis in 2014, 2015, and 2022.
Evangelii Gaudium and the Church’s missionary character; the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium; the role of the Curia and its relationship with the particular Churches; synodality; and the liturgy are the topics that will guide this Extraordinary Consistory.
“I am here to listen,” Pope Leo XIV said in his opening address of the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals on January 7. The Pope began by expressing his joy at welcoming the Cardinals to Rome on the day after Epiphany, praying that the Holy Spirit may guide them during these two intense but important days of reflection and dialogue.
The Pope said their day-and-a-half together “will point the way for our path ahead."
“We must not arrive at a text," he said, "but continue a conversation that will help me in serving the mission of the entire Church.”
The Holy Father acknowledged that the College of Cardinals is a very diverse group, “enriched by a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, ecclesial and social traditions, formative and academic paths, pastoral experiences, not to mention personal characteristics and traits.”
Related reading :
.png)
.png)
.png)