Pope Leo XIV has called a two-day, consultative consistory in Rome for Jan. 7–8, 2025, immediately after the close of the 2025 Holy Year. The meeting will include the full College of Cardinals but will not create any new cardinals; the Vatican says it aims to foster common discernment and provide advice to the pope. Widely viewed as Leo's first major opportunity to shape his own agenda since his May 8 election as the first American pope, the gathering signals a potentially more inclusive consultative style than that of his predecessor.
Pope Leo XIV Calls All Cardinals to Rome for Two-Day Consultative Consistory
Pope Leo XIV greets faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Pope Leo XIV has summoned the entire College of Cardinals to Rome for a two-day consistory on Jan. 7–8, 2025, the Vatican announced Saturday. The meeting comes immediately after the Jan. 6 conclusion of the 2025 Holy Year, the once-every-25-years Jubilee celebration.
Pope Leo XIV leaves St. Peter's Square at the end of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The January gathering will be strictly consultative: no new cardinals will be created. The Vatican said the sessions "will be oriented toward fostering common discernment and offering support and advice to the Holy Father in the exercise of his high and grave responsibility in the government of the universal Church."
Pope Leo XIV greets faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Leo's opening months as pope have been dominated by Holy Year responsibilities—welcoming pilgrims, presiding over Jubilee audiences and Masses—and by addressing unresolved matters from Pope Francis's pontificate. For many observers, the consistory represents the first clear opportunity for Leo, elected May 8 as the first American pope, to begin shaping his own agenda and governance style.
Pope Leo XIV waves to faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Francis frequently relied on a small circle of eight or nine handpicked cardinal advisers instead of full consistories. By inviting the entire College of Cardinals, Leo appears to be signaling a more inclusive, consultative approach to decision-making at the outset of his pontificate.
Pope Leo XIV waves to faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
While some consistories are convened to formally install new cardinals, this session is purely advisory: Vatican officials say it will focus on conversation, common discernment and advice to help guide the pastoral and administrative direction of the universal Church.
