What will happen at Leo XIV's consistory in early January?
Will Leo XIV’s Pontificate Really Get Underway With the Consistory in January?
Will Leo XIV’s Pontificate Really Get Underway With the Consistory in January?
ANALYSIS: Since his election, the Holy Father has largely dealt with matters left pending when his predecessor Pope Francis died in April.
The news that Leo XIV will convene a consistory for Jan. 7-8 has not yet been made official by the Holy See Press Office. Since the Register broke the news, however, numerous confirmations have emerged — some from cardinals themselves — and the circular letter sent to all the cardinals has made the rounds.
This consistory will not be for the creation of new cardinals, as is commonly the case. There are already a dozen more voting-age cardinals than the law strictly allows. The number of voting-age cardinals will not dip below the legal limit of 120 until the end of 2026.
The Jan. 7-8 consistory will be for discussing matters of importance to the whole Church — discussion the likes of which has not occurred in recent years.
Pope Francis convened one in 2014, when Cardinal …