Inside the consistory: how cardinals viewed Leo XIV’s first gathering
The Catholic Herald••world
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV convened his inaugural extraordinary consistory on 7-8 January 2026, attended by about 170 of the 245 cardinals, with notable absences including Cardinals Christoph Schönborn and Willem Eijk, highlighting challenges in broad consultation.
- The consistory focused on themes including liturgy, synodality, and Church mission, with cardinals expressing concerns over liturgical abuses and divergent views on the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), which was indirectly addressed through a critical written paper rather than open discussion.
- The new synodal-style format of the consistory received mixed reactions; some cardinals criticized its coherence and effectiveness, while others praised the collegial seating arrangement that encouraged open dialogue.
- Discussions revealed underlying divisions regarding
