Pope Leo XIV signals reform-minded priorities as his pontificate begins

A day after closing the 2025 Holy Year, Pope Leo XIV called the world’s cardinals to Rome and said he will devote his weekly catechism lessons to rereading key Second Vatican Council documents.

Pope Leo XIV opened a new phase of his pontificate by calling the world’s cardinals to Rome a day after the close of the 2025 Holy Year. He said he will devote his weekly catechism lessons to a rereading of key Second Vatican Council documents. The pope described Vatican II teaching as the church’s guiding star and emphasised implementing its reforms. He also convened a two-day consistory intended to foster common discernment among the cardinals. Key facts: - The pope called the consistory to begin the day after the 2025 Holy Year closed and invited cardinals to Rome. - Leo said he will spend forthcoming weekly catechism lessons rereading key Second Vatican Council documents and called Vatican II the church’s "guiding star." - The Vatican stated the consistory is meant to foster common discernment and offer support and advice to the pope in governing the universal church. - Agenda items include discussion of two reform documents from Pope Francis, the push for greater "synodality," and the liturgy, which is understood to refer in part to debate over the old Latin Mass. - There are currently 245 cardinals, roughly split between those under age 80 and those older, and the Vatican has not specified how many will attend. - Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong was listed for a private audience with the pope. Summary: Pope Leo XIV is signalling an agenda that emphasises fuller implementation of Second Vatican Council teachings and greater consultation with the College of Cardinals. The two-day consistory called by the pope is under way and will include discussion of Francis' reform documents, synodality and liturgical divisions. Outcomes of the meetings are undetermined at this time.