Vatican City, Jan 9, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has indicated a significant shift in the governance of the Catholic Church by proposing annual meetings of all cardinals, aiming to foster greater consultation and collective decision-making among the church’s top leaders.

At the conclusion of his first consistory — a formal gathering of the College of Cardinals — Pope Leo invited cardinals to return for a second session at the end of June, with plans to meet annually for three to four days. The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, confirmed the proposed dates for the second meeting as June 27-28, preceding the major feast day of June 29.

Moving Toward a More Consultative Leadership

This marks a departure from the governing style of Pope Francis, who relied heavily on a hand-picked council of nine cardinals meeting irregularly, rather than engaging the full College of Cardinals. Many cardinals had expressed frustration with this approach before Leo’s election, citing a lack of collective deliberation and a desire for broader input on global church issues.

Pope Leo’s plan responds directly to these concerns, creating a structured forum where cardinals from around the worldcan advise the pope on critical decisions and church policy.

Building Relationships Among Cardinals

Cardinal Stefen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, highlighted another practical benefit: these meetings help cardinals become familiar with one another. Many cardinals hail from remote regions and rarely travel to Rome, leading to limited interaction. Strengthening these connections is particularly important during conclaves, when cardinals vote to elect a new pope, as personal knowledge of colleagues can influence decisions.

Pope Leo convened the first consistory immediately following the 2025 Holy Year, marking a symbolic start to his papacy while signaling continuity with Francis’ initiatives. The annual meetings are expected to cover pressing issues facing the global church, ranging from doctrinal guidance to governance and outreach strategies.

This new approach underscores Pope Leo’s commitment to a more participatory leadership style, balancing centralized authority with regular consultation of the church’s senior hierarchy. It also reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that cardinals from diverse regions have a voice in the management of the world’s largest religious institution.