- 23 June, 2026
Vatican, June 23, 2026: The Holy See Press Office has unveiled the programme for the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals scheduled for June 26-27, ahead of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
As Pope Leo XIV gathers with the Cardinals, discussions will centre on issues such as the conflicts affecting the world and the way the Church should communicate through language and attitudes in order to foster peace and reconciliation.
This will mark the second Consistory gathering of Pope Leo’s pontificate, following the meeting held in January, which brought together 170 Cardinal electors and non-electors from across the globe.
At the conclusion of that Consistory, the Pope announced the June meeting, telling the Cardinals: “I feel and experience the need to be able to count on you.”
According to the programme released by the Holy See Press Office, the proceedings will adopt a “synodal” method involving prayer, silence, personal reflection, group discussion, and plenary sessions.
The Cardinals have also been requested to maintain “confidentiality” regarding what takes place in the hall and to refrain from making statements to the press during the Consistory so as to preserve an atmosphere of fraternal exchange.
Four sessions of reflection
Participants will be divided into 20 groups. Nine groups will consist of Cardinal electors who are Ordinaries, including Apostolic Nuncios and Cardinal electors who have completed their service as Ordinaries.
The remaining eleven groups will comprise Cardinal electors of the Roman Curia and non-elector Cardinals.
Each group will have a president responsible for moderating the discussion and keeping time, along with a secretary who will collect the contributions and prepare the group’s final report.
The Consistory will commence on Friday, June 26, with Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
The Cardinals will then proceed to the Paul VI Hall for the opening session, which will begin with the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus, followed by an address from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and an introductory intervention by the Pope.
The first session will focus on the question: “In what kind of world are we called to proclaim the Gospel?” Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow, will deliver a biblical meditation, followed by silence, prayer, group sharing, and reports during the plenary session.
On Friday afternoon, the second session will examine the theme “The culture of power and the civilization of love.” Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, will introduce the theme, drawing on Chapter V of Magnifica humanitas.
Building the common good
On Saturday morning, after Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica presided over by Cardinal Re, the Cardinals will continue their work in the Paul VI Hall.
The third session, titled “Building in the good: the worksites of our time,” will be introduced by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Metropolitan Archbishop of Johannesburg and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The discussion will address the fractures that hinder the building of the common good, the questions arising from peoples and communities, and the support that local Churches and the universal Church can provide.
The fourth and concluding session will take place on Saturday afternoon in the New Synod Hall and will focus on “The path of implementing the Synod.” Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, will introduce the theme, beginning from the document Towards the Synodal Assemblies 2027-2028: Stages, Criteria, and Instruments for Preparation.
The session will include questions for clarification, a dialogue with Pope Leo XIV, and free interventions limited to no more than three minutes each.
The Pope’s concluding address will bring the Consistory to an end, followed by the singing of the Te Deum and a dinner with the Pope in the Paul VI Hall.
On Monday, June 29, Pope Leo XIV will preside over Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
Courtesy: Vatican News
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