Consistory: Behind the cardinals’ closed doors

One hundred and seventy-eight cardinals gathered in the Paul VI Hall this morning for the opening of the Extraordinary Consistory. Following the Eucharist in St Peter’s Basilica, at 9.30am the cardinals divided into working groups: eight groups of cardinal electors serving as Ordinaries - also including nuncios and cardinals who have completed their service as Ordinaries - and ten groups bringing together cardinal electors of the Roman Curia and non-electors. It was a reflection of the balance of forces even before the work itself had begun.

After the Veni Creator had been sung, Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio chaired the first session and invited the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, to offer his greeting. Leo XIV then addressed the assembly.

Four sessions, one encyclical at the centre

The Pope set out four themes for the days ahead, which he described as “deeply interconnected”: the world in which the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel; the culture of power set against the civilisation of love; the Church’s contribution to building up the common good; and, finally, the implementation of the Synod.

The entire structure revolves around a single centre of gravity: Magnifica Humanitas, explicitly placed at the heart of the second and third sessions. Leo did not ask the cardinals for a doctrinal commentary, but for pastoral feedback. He is “particularly keen” to hear how these pages resonate within the particular Churches, because “an encyclical, in fact, continues its journey when it is received, interpreted, and embodied in the concrete life of the Churches”.

Referring to paragraph 86 of the text, the Pope described the common good as taking the form of “a synodal style at the service of the mission of the Kingdom”, requiring attention to the way “decisions are made and responsibilities exercised, through transparency, evaluation, and shared responsibility”. Beyond the Hall, these words read less as a meditation than as a programme for government.

Humility and fraternity

Leo asked the cardinals for explicit support: “I need your support: strong, explicit, and public. I need to feel sustained by you, as by brothers.” He added: “I need your freedom, your frankness, and your loyalty. Sincere advice is always an act of communion.”