Pope Leo XIV plans Jan. 7-8, 2026, extraordinary consistory for cardinals; theme unknown, per Vatican note. First under new pope.
Newsroom (10/11/2025 Gaudium Press )Pope Leo XIV is set to gather the world’s cardinals for an extraordinary consistory on January 7-8, 2026, according to a Vatican communication obtained by the National Catholic Register. The theme of the closed-door meeting remains undisclosed, marking the first such assembly under the new pontiff.
The brief note, dated November 6 and sent by the Vatican Secretariat of State, informed cardinals that the Holy Father “has in mind to convene an extraordinary consistory” for those dates. It assured that the dean of the College of Cardinals would provide further details in due course. The communication, signed by the coordinating office of the Secretariat of State, ended with an expression of “profound reverence.”
Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni, when queried by the Register on Friday, declined to confirm the note’s existence publicly, noting that announcements for events so far in advance are uncommon. It is unclear whether all cardinals have received the notification.
Extraordinary consistories are rare papal convocations of the full College of Cardinals to address “particular needs of the Church” or urgent matters requiring extensive consultation. They differ from ordinary consistories, which typically focus on creating new cardinals.
The announcement follows criticisms from cardinals during this year’s conclave regarding insufficient meetings and collegiality under Pope Francis. The most recent extraordinary consistory occurred August 29-30, 2022, under Francis, centering on the implementation of Praedicate Evangelium, his apostolic constitution reforming the Roman Curia. That gathering featured language-group discussions on the document’s principles and practical effects, emphasizing a synodal approach, before a plenary summary.
Earlier, on February 20-21, 2014, Francis convened cardinals to discuss family issues ahead of synods in 2014 and 2015. The meeting gained notoriety for Cardinal Walter Kasper’s address proposing a “pastoral solution” allowing some civilly remarried divorcees to receive Communion—a idea dubbed the “Kasper Proposal.” It sparked debate, influenced the synods, and echoed in Francis’s 2016 exhortation Amoris Laetitia. Unlike later assemblies, participants could speak freely on any topic; subsequent ones restricted interventions to designated subjects.
Pope John Paul II held six extraordinary consistories, addressing curial reform and Vatican finances (three times), threats to life and Christ’s uniqueness amid sects (1991), Jubilee preparations (1994), and millennial prospects via Novo Millennio Ineunte (2001). Benedict XVI opted against formal extraordinary consistories, favoring day-long pre-consistory meetings.
With 128 cardinal-electors—exceeding the traditional 120 limit—analysts deem it unlikely Leo XIV will create new cardinals concurrently, as Francis did in 2022.
The January gathering’s agenda could signal Leo XIV’s priorities amid ongoing Church challenges, though details await the dean’s forthcoming letter.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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