Pope Leo to Convene His First Extraordinary Consistory

Vatican, Jan 7, 2025: Pope Leo will convene the first Extraordinary Consistory of his pontificate, scheduled to take place over two days—Wednesday, January 7, and Thursday, January 8—with a series of closed-door sessions involving the College of Cardinals.

An Extraordinary Consistory is a formal meeting in which the Pope gathers cardinals from around the world to reflect together on important matters concerning the Church. Unlike routine consultations, it focuses on major questions of mission, governance, and pastoral direction. While the Pope retains final authority, the Consistory allows him to listen to the experience and insights of senior Church leaders as he guides the universal Church.

The Extraordinary Consistory will be guided by key themes central to the life and mission of the Church, including Evangelii Gaudium and the Church’s missionary character, the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, the role of the Roman Curia and its relationship with particular Churches, synodality, and the liturgy.

Over the two days, the Holy Father will meet with members of the College of Cardinals, many of whom participated in the rite marking the closing of the Holy Door and in the Mass for the Epiphany on January 6. The gathering is intended to encourage shared discernment and to provide counsel and support to the Pope as he exercises his responsibility for the governance of the universal Church.

The Consistory will open on Wednesday, January 7, at 4:00 p.m. (All timings mentioned are in local Vatican time) in the Synod Hall at the Vatican. The proceedings will be held behind closed doors.

On Thursday, January 8, Pope Leo will concelebrate Mass with the cardinals at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. Following the liturgical celebration, the morning session of the Consistory will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Synod Hall. The Pope and the cardinals will then reconvene for a final afternoon session from 3:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., bringing the two-day gathering to a close.

Courtesy: Vatican News