Vatican releases consistory schedule, confidentiality note

Key Points:

• The Vatican has released the schedule for the extraordinary consistory on June 26-27, emphasizing strict confidentiality among cardinals and barring journalists from sessions, though the pope’s introductory and concluding remarks will be broadcast live.
• The consistory will adopt a "conversation in the Spirit" format with cardinals divided into smaller groups for discussion, each moderated by a chairman and documented by a secretary who drafts a report.
• Sessions will begin with biblical meditations and focus on key themes including current sufferings and hopes within the Church, the culture of power versus a civilization of love, and building the common good amid divisions.
• The final session will feature open Q&A, free interventions by cardinals, and conclude with Pope Leo’s address, followed by a Te Deum hymn and dinner; the consistory officially ends on June 29 with a Mass where new metropolitan archbishops receive the pallium.
• This consistory follows the methodology used in January, differing from traditional open forums by emphasizing smaller group dialogue to foster fraternal discussion and reflection on synodality and evangelization.