Pope Leo XIV Revives Annual Cardinal Meetings, Replacing Francis-Era C9 Governance
Updated
Updated · The Pillar · Jun 22
Pope Leo XIV Revives Annual Cardinal Meetings, Replacing Francis-Era C9 Governance
3 articles · Updated · The Pillar · Jun 22
Summary
Friday’s extraordinary consistory will be Leo XIV’s second meeting with the College of Cardinals and is expected to restore such gatherings as an annual fixture in Rome.
Two days of sessions will center on international affairs, evangelization and synod implementation, ending Saturday with an extended open dialogue that lets cardinals raise issues directly with the pope.
Leo’s format marks a break from Francis, who held only 3 extraordinary consistories and relied more on the C9 Council of Cardinal Advisors, which Leo has now dispensed with.
Broad discussion prompts on conflict, division and the common good suggest Leo wants to hear the whole college and test real consensus, even as contentious topics like liturgy, SSPX and just war theory stay off the formal agenda.
Just over 1 year into his pontificate, Leo appears to be recasting papal governance around wider collegial consultation rather than a small handpicked advisory circle.