Cardinal Raymond Burke spoke in a Jan. 11 interview about his experience at the recent meeting between Pope Leo XIV and cardinals from around the world gathered in Rome, reflecting on the positives of the meeting and some challenges. 

In a video interview with the College of Cardinals Report, Cardinal Burke said the “great benefit” of the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals — which was held Jan. 7-8 at the Vatican — was that it gave the cardinals the chance to meet and speak with one another. 

He said especially in the small groups and during the breaks, the cardinals were able to get to know one another, share about their concerns for the Church, and talk about them together. 

Cardinal Burke added that he is “very grateful to Pope Leo” for already setting a date for the next extraordinary consistory — which will be in late June — and that the Pontiff plans to hold the meetings annually. 

Speaking about the format for January’s meeting, Cardinal Burke noted that unlike the classical structure for extraordinary consistories — which typically focuses on the general discussion of a single topic — the format of this consistory followed that of a non-consistory meeting that Pope Francis held in 2022. He explained that in the classical format the consistory would typically open with a presentation on the given topic by a credible theologian, followed by a general debate on the topic.

During the 2022 meeting, “the cardinals were divided according to language into small groups,” and all of the discussions were held within those groups, Cardinal Burke explained. The general sessions were only a report given by secretaries. This recent extraordinary consistory followed a similar structure. 

Additionally, because the small groups met in the same room together, in the Vatican audience hall, it made it difficult to speak and hear one another, Cardinal Burke noted. 

He told the College of Cardinals Report that there were two opportunities during which cardinals could give three-minute interventions, but given that these sessions were 45 minutes long, only 15 cardinals per session could speak. This posed a challenge, as there were more than 160 cardinals in attendance. 

“I would think that one has to re-examine the format, to make sure it respects the true nature of an extraordinary consistory,” he said. 

He also noted that although the cardinals can communicate with Pope Leo via email, this “doesn’t contribute to the general discussion among the cardinals and to the clarification of their own concerns, or their being alerted to concerns that they simply haven’t considered but that are very important.”

However, Cardinal Burke reiterated that he was grateful to Pope Leo for convening the cardinals as soon as the Jubilee Year concluded and for committing to regular meetings, saying it is “a very positive sign.”  

Cardinal Burke also said the cardinals identified four main themes and then voted on which two to prioritize for discussion. Pope Leo had said they did not have time for all four, and Cardinal Burke noted that even two themes in such a short time period was challenging. 

There were also some organization challenges, as a lot of the beginning of the meeting was spent voting and explaining the themes, he noted. 

However, Cardinal Burke expressed gratitude “at least, that the meeting took place, it was a beginning, and now, I think, the important thing would be to work on the format.” 

Cardinal Burke also shared about his concern for the high volume of audiences and meetings that Pope Leo is holding, noting that the Pontiff also has the responsibilities of studying, correcting, and approving documents; appointing bishops; and taking care of himself, which includes rest. 

“We have to remember what are the principal responsibilities of the pope, and balance these things,” he said. 

At the end of the interview, Cardinal Burke expressed gratitude for the “College of Cardinals Report” for its service just ahead of the conclave, when the publication provided the cardinals gathered at the Vatican with brief biographies of all those participating in the conclave. 

“It certainly was a great help at the time of the conclave because as many cardinals said, and said openly, we don’t know one another,” Cardinal Burke said. “And of course, what a solemn responsibility it is to vote for the new successor to Saint Peter.”

This report helped the cardinals learn more about some of the cardinals being considered for election as pope, Cardinal Burke noted, “And then I believe it's so important that it be ongoing so that [by] the time of the next conclave there'll be a very lively knowledge of who all the cardinals are."