Important issues are on the agenda for Pope Leo XIV’s first extraordinary consistory of his pontificate, which began today and ends tomorrow evening.
But the time allotted to discuss them will be short and it is not clear how much will be achieved during the meeting that will last just one and a half days and be structured around working groups.
The closed-door meeting will focus on four interconnected themes: the role of the College of Cardinals in Leo XIV’s governance, the future of synodality, the reform of the Curia, and broad questions about the liturgy.
This consistory comes after the suspension in 2014 of almost all such papal meetings with the sacred college. Francis preferred to consult his council of nine cardinals, the so-called C9, that met on a regular basis.
The Vatican has presented the gathering as a strictly consultative, closed-door meeting, focused on prayer, reflection, and “common discernment” to support the Pope in his “high and demanding responsibility” in governing the universal Church.
Those who spoke to the press as they entered the consistory all said they welcomed the Pope’s decision to host the two-day meeting. It comes after the suspension in 2014 of almost all such papal meetings with the sacred college. Francis preferred to consult his council of nine cardinals, the so-called C9, that met on a regular basis.
Cardinal Joseph Zen is among those attending, having obtained permission from Hong Kong authorities. Pope Leo XIV received the cardinal in private audience this morning.
Asked by the Register if the topic of China and its relations with the Vatican would be a topic for discussion, Cardinal Bo said: “Most probably no, not about China, but about general things.” The cardinal, who has been publicly critical of Beijing in the past, said he himself would not be bringing up the issue — “not yet, not at this time,” he replied.
Cardinal Hollerich told the Register that he thought the TLM issue would be discussed during the consistory. “I’m not against it,” he said.
Asked about restrictions on the traditional Roman rite imposed after Traditionis Custodes, Cardinal Bo said he was “indifferent” to the subject as he does not celebrate the Tridentine rite Mass, although he remembered serving at it as a boy.
Cardinal Hollerich told the Register that he thought the TLM issue would be discussed during the consistory. “I’m not against it,” he said, “but I do not like sometimes the values that are attached to it — no interreligious dialogue, not accepting the Second Vatican Council and so on. But the liturgy itself I think is no problem. If many people have access to God through that liturgy then that’s fine with me.”
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