Title: Pope Leo XIV’s Summons to Cardinals Signals New Era in Catholic Church Governance In an unprecedented move, Pope Leo XIV has summoned all the world’s cardinals for two days of meetings on January 7-8, marking a significant shift from his predecessor, Pope Francis. This gathering, known as a consistory, will be held immediately following the conclusion of the Holy Year celebrations and is expected to set the tone for Leo XIV’s pontificate. The decision to hold such an assembly has been seen by many as a clear indication that the new year will signal the unofficial start of Pope Leo XIV’s reign, allowing him to focus on his own agenda after spending his first few months in office fulfilling the obligations of the Holy Year and wrapping up the outstanding matters from Francis’ pontificate. This marks a departure from Francis’ approach, who largely relied on a small group of hand-picked cardinal advisers for governance rather than convening consistories. The Vatican has stated that this first consistory will be aimed at fostering common discernment and offering support and advice to the Holy Father in his role as leader of the universal Church. While no new cardinals are expected to be installed during this meeting, it is purely consultative in nature. However, its significance lies in the fact that it represents a shift towards more inclusive governance within the Catholic Church. By summoning all the world’s cardinals for these meetings, Pope Leo XIV is sending a clear message that he values their input and expertise as part of his decision-making process. This move also highlights the importance of collaboration and unity among church leaders in addressing global issues facing the Catholic Church today. As we look forward to what promises to be an interesting year under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the future direction of the Church. One thing is certain: this historic consistory signals a new era in governance within the Catholic Church and sets the stage for potential reforms that could shape its trajectory moving forward.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/20/nx-s1-5650788/pope-leo-summons-cardinals-meeting-consistory)
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