Pope Leo XIV opened the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals with a heartfelt appeal for unity, honesty, and shared responsibility as Church leaders gathered in Rome to reflect on the mission of the Church in today’s world.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father asked the Cardinals to support him through open dialogue and faithful collaboration, telling them, “I need your freedom, your frankness, and your loyalty. Sincere counsel is always an act of communion.”
The two-day gathering, held June 26-27, brings Cardinals together to discern the needs of the universal Church and to consider how the Gospel can be proclaimed more effectively amid the challenges facing the modern world.
Pope Leo emphasized that communion within the Church is not something achieved once and permanently secured but must be renewed continually through conversion, prayer, trust, and mutual listening. He encouraged the Cardinals to continue fostering the synodal path, reminding them that every member of the Church contributes to its mission according to his or her own vocation and gifts.
According to Vatican News, the Consistory is organized around four major themes. The Cardinals will reflect on the realities of today’s world, examine the relationship between power and the “civilization of love,” consider the Church’s contribution to the common good, and continue discussions surrounding the implementation of the Synod on Synodality.
Rather than concentrating primarily on internal Church affairs, Pope Leo challenged the Cardinals to keep their attention fixed on the Church’s evangelical mission.
“How can we help our Churches today to proclaim the Gospel with greater fidelity, freedom, and credibility?” he asked.
The Holy Father reminded the Cardinals that the Church exists for mission and that authentic discernment requires listening carefully to the Holy Spirit while carrying out their responsibilities together.
“I count on you to help me discern what the Spirit is saying to the Church today. I need your support: strong, explicit, and public,” Pope Leo said. “I need to feel sustained by you as brothers.”
Earlier the same day, Pope Leo celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to formally open the Consistory, offering further reflections on the spiritual foundation needed for the Church’s work.
According to Vatican News, the Pope centered his homily on Christ’s words from the Gospel of John: “I am the true vine” (Jn 15:1), reminding the Cardinals that every fruitful ministry begins by remaining united to Christ.
He proposed three principles to guide their discernment: embracing the true freedom of faith, seeking the gift of peace in unity, and living in harmony through obedience to Christ.
Reflecting on the witness of Saints Peter and Paul ahead of their solemn feast, Pope Leo said their lives demonstrate that faith frees believers from fear and sin while sending them into the world to proclaim the Gospel.
Addressing the many armed conflicts affecting humanity, the Pope delivered one of the strongest messages of his homily.
“War is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God,” he said, adding that although humanity possesses increasingly sophisticated weapons, God has also given people “intelligence and free will to resolve conflicts as human beings and not as beasts.”
He further reminded the Church that “peace is a duty of justice because we are one human family, a magnifica humanitas that finds its head and redeemer in Christ.”
The Holy Father also encouraged continued commitment to building what Saint Paul VI described as the “civilization of love,” where justice and charity remain inseparable. According to Vatican News, he stressed that the Church must proclaim the Gospel impartially, offering “the same message of conversion and salvation” to all people.
Concluding his homily, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of listening to the Word of God together through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He said this shared discernment is essential as the Church continues implementing the Synod and strengthening unity among the faithful.
“Our working together in a collegial way embodies the synodality in which all the baptized participate in the unity of the People of God,” Pope Leo said. “Synodality and collegiality are, in fact, forms of Christian fraternity, which binds us together as the baptized and as Bishops.”
Your support brings the truth to the world.
Catholic Online News exists because of donors like you. We are 100% funded by people who believe the world deserves real, uncensored news rooted in faith and truth — not corporate agendas. Your gift ensures millions can continue to access the news they can trust — stories that defend life, faith, family, and freedom.
When truth is silenced, your support speaks louder.
