Catholic Church to hold annual meetings of cardinals, Pope says

Pope Leo XIV announced he intends to convene the world’s cardinals annually and asked them to return to Rome for a proposed second session on June 27-28; future gatherings would be planned for three to four days each year.

Pope Leo XIV announced a plan to bring the world's Catholic cardinals together on an annual basis and made the statement at the close of his first consistory. He invited cardinals to return to Rome for a proposed second session on June 27-28 and said subsequent meetings would take place each year for three to four days. The pope also called for full implementation of Vatican II reforms ahead of the meeting. The announcement responds to cardinals' concerns raised before the conclave about decisionmaking and the need for broader consultation. Key details: - Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope requested the cardinals return for a second session at the end of June and then meet annually. - Cardinals said the proposed dates for the second session are June 27-28, before a June 29 feast day. - The plan envisions annual gatherings lasting three to four days each year. - Under Pope Francis, a smaller group of nine cardinals had met periodically to advise him, and larger consistories were used less often. - Cardinals had complained before the conclave that they lacked opportunities to meet collectively and to get to know one another. - Cardinal Stefen Brislin of Johannesburg said the meeting helped cardinals become better acquainted, since many rarely travel to Rome. Summary: The announcement indicates a change toward more regular, collective meetings of the College of Cardinals and a renewed emphasis on group consultation. The next scheduled step is the proposed session on June 27-28, with annual meetings planned thereafter.