Pope Leo XIV urges Cardinals to embrace unity, prayer, and service at the Extraordinary Consistory, focusing on synodality and evangelization.
Newsroom (08/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) At dawn on January 8, the solemn chords of liturgy filled the Vatican basilica as Pope Leo XIV presided over Mass for the Cardinals gathered from every corner of the world. It marked the beginning of the second day of the Extraordinary Consistory, a rare convocation meant to renew reflection on the heart of the Church’s mission.
The discussions, which began on Wednesday, January 7, turned to themes at the center of Pope Leo’s pontificate: “Synod and synodality” and “Evangelization and mission in the Church in the light of Evangelii gaudium.” These conversations, both theological and deeply pastoral, set the tone for what the Pope described as a “moment of grace” — an opportunity for the shepherds of the Church to pause, listen, and discern together.
A Pause That Becomes a Prophetic Gesture
In his homily, Pope Leo reflected on the meaning of the word Consistory, recalling its Latin root that means “to stop.” He explained that this act of stopping carries a powerful symbolism: the Cardinals set aside their daily burdens and even urgent responsibilities to stand still before the Lord, allowing space for divine guidance.
“We have set aside our activities for a time,” he told them, “so as to come together to discern what the Lord asks of us for the good of His people.” In a world marked by frenetic pace and restless action, Pope Leo called this collective pause a “prophetic gesture” — a reminder that Christian leadership begins not with motion, but with contemplation.
The Eucharist as a Lens for Discernment
Pope Leo warned against letting personal ambitions or agendas guide the Church’s mission. Instead, he invited the Cardinals to allow their plans to be purified through the Eucharist — so that, in his words, “Christ may return them purified, enlightened, and transformed.”
“Our College,” he said, “though rich in many skills and notable gifts, is not called, first of all, to be a team of experts, but a community of faith.” He described the Cardinals’ gathering as a Trinitarian act — a moment rooted in love for God, the Church, and all humanity.
Each participant, the Pope added, must see this gathering not as mere administration but as a “great act of love.” Through prayer, silence, and genuine listening, they are called to look one another in the eye, to hear the unspoken needs of the faithful, and to embody the compassion of Christ.
Gifts, Grace, and Responsibility
The Pope reminded the Cardinals that their high office is not a reward but a responsibility born of grace. “There is nothing of what we carry that we have not received,” he said, calling on them to invest their talents “with prudence and courage.” He reached back to the wisdom of Pope St. Leo the Great, urging cooperative service steeped in humility — a Church where “the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, and no one seeks their own interests over those of others.”
This vision, Pope Leo said, mirrors the “multifaceted beauty” of the Church — diverse in its gifts yet united in faith.
Feeding the Hungry of Heart and Spirit
Turning his gaze toward the wider world, the Holy Father spoke of the “great crowd” of humanity, weary in its struggle for peace and meaning amid “desperate existential emptiness.” He compared the task of the Cardinals to the Gospel story of the loaves and fishes: to help distribute God’s providence where it is most needed.
“What you offer to the Church in your service,” he said, “is something great and extremely personal and profound, unique to each and precious to all.” Yet he reminded them that their shared mission with the Successor of Peter remains “grave and burdensome,” charged with both humility and hope.
A Moment Entrusted to God
As the Mass concluded, silence filled the basilica — a silence that carried both solemnity and renewal. Pope Leo XIV closed by thanking the Cardinals for their faith and service, entrusting their work to the Lord’s care.
The Extraordinary Consistory continues its deliberations in Rome, guided by the Pope’s invitation to stop, pray, and rediscover the divine rhythm that strengthens the Church’s mission in the world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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