The tentative schedule for the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals that Pope Leo will convene in June allows for two full days of sessions, according to an April 13 report by Rome-based journalist Diane Montagna. The time frame could mark an increased amount of session time from the January consistory, which several cardinals had said had a tight structure that could be improved.
Montagna reported that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, wrote in a brief April 13 letter set to be sent to cardinals around the world that the meetings will be held in the morning and afternoon of June 26 and 27.
“This is one day earlier than previously anticipated and allows for two full days of sessions without extending into Sunday,” Montagna wrote.
Pope Leo convened an extraordinary consistory — a meeting involving cardinals from around the world (an ordinary consistory typically involves cardinals who reside in Rome) — Jan. 7-8. At the end of the meeting, he made a historic announcement that he plans to hold such meetings annually.
After the meeting, both Cardinal Joseph Zen and Cardinal Raymond Burke spoke positively of Pope Leo and his efforts to engage with the cardinals. However, both commented also on the consistory’s schedule structure and the challenges posed by the short allotted time frames during the meeting, suggesting there was room for improvement on that front to enable more cardinals to have the opportunity to speak.
Cardinal Zen had said that the consistory began during the afternoon of Jan. 7, and that due to time constraints, only two of the originally scheduled four topics were discussed. He commented, “What was meant to be a two-day gathering was reduced to one day.”
According to Montagna, Pope Leo will preside over a June 28 Mass, with the cardinals concelebrating. The next day, the Pope will celebrate Mass and the blessing of the Sacred Pallium for the new metropolitan archbishops.
Montagna noted that “the schedule leaves open the possibility that Pope Leo XIV could create new cardinals on June 28, although no such plans have yet been announced.”
Cardinal Re said the cardinals will receive more details over time.