Pope Leo: 'Cardinals, I am counting on you'

“I feel the need to be able to count on you: it is you who have called this servant to this mission. Therefore, I believe it is important that we work together, that we discern together, that we seek what the Spirit is asking of us.” At the conclusion of the first day of the Extraordinary Consistory he convened in the Vatican, Leo XIV once again asked the 170 cardinals present for their support and assistance.

Synodality and mission in the light of Evangelii gaudium were chosen “by a clear majority,” from a list that also included the liturgy and the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium.

Pope Leo did not take part directly in the group discussions, but participated in the plenary session in which the nine secretaries of the tables—composed of cardinals from outside the Roman Curia—presented their work and explained, within a maximum of three minutes, the reasons for choosing the two themes. As Pope Leo explained, members of the Roman Curia are easier to consult.