This post was originally published on this site.

When the first extraordinary consistory of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate ended in early January, the general feeling in the College of Cardinals was overwhelmingly positive.

Pope Leo XIV presides at Mass with the cardinals in Rome for a January 2026 consistory. Credit: Abaca Press/Alamy.

While some cardinals had concerns about the methodology used, most welcomed what they saw as Pope Leo’s sincere intention to use the College of Cardinals as a consultative body, after his predecessor had convened only a few consistories and rarely consulted a wide boys of cardinals.

The impression that Leo was doing something different was reinforced when the pope announced that another extraordinary consistory would be held in June, and that he intended to convene an extraordinary consistory lasting several days each year thereafter.

But ahead of a meeting set to begin Friday, the methodology and choice of topics have altered, at least to some extent, the mood surrounding the cardinals his time around.

“It all feels like it was organized by an HR department,” one curial cardinal told The Pillar.

“It’s all too tightly controlled, it doesn’t feel like there’s freedom to discuss the things that we need to discuss, and we’re being led by very specific questions on very specific

Read more...