Pope Leo XIV is expected to call the world’s cardinals to Rome in early January 2026 for an extraordinary consistory, according to a Vatican communication circulated this week.
A brief note, sent by the Secretariat of State on 6 November and obtained by the National Catholic Register, stated that “Holy Father Leo XIV has in mind to convene an extraordinary consistory for the days of Jan. 7 and 8, 2026.”
The message further noted, “In due course, the dean of the College of Cardinals will send to Your Eminence the relevant letter with further details,” and concluded, “With profound reverence, coordinating office of the Secretariat of State.”
When asked about the correspondence on Friday, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told the National Catholic Register that the Vatican had not yet publicly “confirmed its existence”, adding that an announcement was likely not “that far ahead”. The theme of the gathering has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether all members of the College of Cardinals have been informed.
Extraordinary consistories are convened when the Pope seeks to consult the entire College of Cardinals on matters of particular importance to the Church. The most recent extraordinary consistory was held on 29–30 August 2022 under Pope Francis and focused on Praedicate Evangelium, the apostolic constitution reforming the Roman Curia.
The upcoming meeting comes amid ongoing discussions in Rome about the need for increased collegiality among the cardinals. Observers note that many members of the College expressed expectations during this year’s conclave that consistories would take place more frequently.
Speculation within some Curial circles suggests the January gathering may coincide with preparations for Pope Leo’s first encyclical. A priest serving in the Curia told the Catholic Herald that the meeting may relate to the upcoming papal encyclical, which has not yet been released or assigned a firm publication date.
In Church tradition, a consistory — from the Latin con-sistere, meaning “to stand together” — is a formal assembly of cardinals convened by the Pope. Ordinary consistories are largely ceremonial, including the creation of new cardinals or announcements of canonisations, while extraordinary consistories are used for consultation on major issues.
Throughout modern history, popes have used such gatherings for significant deliberations: St. John Paul II convened six extraordinary consistories to address topics ranging from Curial reform to the Church’s mission in the new millennium. Pope Benedict XVI preferred informal pre-consistory discussions, while Pope Francis held two extraordinary consistories, the most recent in 2022.
Although the Vatican has not issued a formal confirmation of the January meeting, anticipation is building for the first extraordinary consistory of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.
