- Pope Leo XIV is planning an extraordinary consistory of cardinals for January 7-8, 2026, though the specific theme and whether all cardinals have been formally notified remain unknown, according to a communication sent to cardinals on November 6 and obtained by the National Catholic Register.
- Extraordinary consistories are significant gatherings where the Pope convenes all cardinals to discuss urgent or highly important matters facing the Church, providing an opportunity for broad consultation among the global College of Cardinals.
- The news of this upcoming consistory follows complaints from cardinals at a recent conclave about a perceived lack of meetings and collegiality under Pope Francis, suggesting Pope Leo XIV may be responding to these concerns by fostering greater dialogue.
- The last extraordinary consistory, held in August 2022 under Pope Francis, focused on the implementation of the new apostolic constitution, Praedicate Evangelium, for the Roman Curia and involved structured discussions in language groups, a format aligning with the concept of synodality.
- A more famous extraordinary consistory in February 2014, also under Pope Francis, addressed the theme of family and notably featured Cardinal Walter Kasper’s controversial proposal for a “pastoral solution” for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, significantly influencing subsequent synod proceedings and Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia.
Pope Leo XIV plans to hold major meeting of cardinals in January
