The Holy See Press Office confirmed on 20 December that Pope Leo XIV will convene an extraordinary consistory of cardinals on 7 and 8 January 2026, marking the first such gathering of his pontificate and the first time the entire College of Cardinals will assemble following his election. The announcement was made only days before Christmas, although the meeting itself had been widely known and reported since November.
Now, The Catholic Herald looks at what an extraordinary consistory is, why this one matters, what has so far been said by Vatican officials, and what can be expected as the cardinals gather in Rome in early January.
