It wasn't business as usual at the Vatican last week. As the Holy See Press Office filled with journalists on the evening of January 8, 2026, the atmosphere was one of candid reflection rather than formal proclamation.
Following the conclusion of the Extraordinary Consistory, three Cardinals representing the "Global South"—Asia, Africa, and Latin America—took the stage to share their experiences.
Unlike traditional gatherings held in lecture halls, this meeting saw the Princes of the Church seated at round tables in the Paul VI Hall, engaging in what Cardinal Pablo Virgilio Siongco David of the Philippines described as a "Conversation in the Spirit."
But the tone for this new style of meeting was set hours earlier, first inside St. Peter’s Basilica, and finally confirmed by an off-the-cuff address from the Pontiff himself.
The Courage to "Stand Still"
During the morning Mass on January 8, Pope Leo XIV offered a profound meditation on the very definition of a "Consistory."
"The word Consistory... can be understood through the root of the verb consistere, meaning 'to stand still,'" the Holy Father told the assembly. "All of us have 'paused' in order to be here... This itself is already a highly significant and prophetic gesture, particularly in the context of the frenetic society in which we live."
This spiritual "pause" resonated deeply with the participants, though the physical reality of the day was demanding. Speaking during the evening briefing, Cardinal David joked about the exhaustion of the participants after a marathon session that began at 7:00 AM.
"If you were to compare us to cellular phones, we are 'low bat' already," he laughed. Yet, he emphasized that his fatigue was outweighed by enthusiasm for a format that prioritized active listening.
"I Am Counting on You"
"It was refreshing to see that the Holy Father did more listening than talking," Cardinal David shared with the press. "He came with a notebook, he was taking notes, and he was very, very attentive."
At the end of the day, Pope Leo revealed exactly why he had spent the day in silence. Addressing the 170 cardinals, he admitted that while the Roman Curia is easily consulted, he needed the broader perspective of the global Church.
"I feel the need to be able to count on you: it is you who have called this servant to this mission," Pope Leo told them, asking for their support and assistance. "Therefore, I believe it is important that we work together, that we discern together, that we seek what the Spirit is asking of us."
He noted that the "journey was just as important as the conclusion," framing the sacrifice of travel and the exhaustion of the day as a witness to the world of a Church willing to walk together.
Returning to the Sources
A significant portion of the discussion focused on two themes chosen by a clear majority of the tables: Synodality and Mission, specifically in the light of Evangelii Gaudium.
During the Q&A, Cardinal David noted a theological nuance: "I was struck that Pope Leo... did not immediately quote Pope Francis. First, he quoted Pope Benedict speaking about 'evangelization by attraction, not by proselytization.' I used to think that line was from Pope Francis, but I was corrected."
Pope Leo later reinforced this connection in his closing remarks, stressing that "one theme cannot be separated from the other."
"We want to be a Church that does not look only at itself, that is missionary, that looks further ahead, toward others," the Pope affirmed. He reminded the cardinals that the Church’s "reason for being" is not for the clergy or hierarchy, but "to proclaim the Gospel."
"Is There Life in Our Church?"
The Pope’s homily had explicitly warned against the College of Cardinals becoming a "mere group of experts." Instead, he called them to be a "community of faith."
This vision was realized in the "beautiful experience of collegiality" described by Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio of Colombia, who was present during the evening press conference.
He highlighted the moving presence of older, non-elector cardinals who traveled great distances, calling their presence a sign of "hope for the Church."
Cardinal Stephen Brislin of South Africa echoed this, noting that the small group format allowed Cardinals to bridge geographic divides. "We haven't known each other very well until now," he admitted.
As the session closed, Pope Leo XIV left the cardinals with a provocative challenge, revisiting a question from his Epiphany homily: "Let us ask ourselves: is there life in our Church?"
"I am convinced that there is," the Bishop of Rome answered himself. "And yet the question remains... Is there space for what is being born? Do we love and proclaim a God who sets us back on the journey?"
Together in the Boat
As the Cardinals return to their home dioceses, they carry with them the Pope's assurance that despite the overwhelming hunger of the world for peace and truth, they are not alone.
Pope Leo rejected the fear of King Herod, which "blinds," in favor of the Gospel which makes the Church "bold, attentive, and creative."
"The Holy Spirit is alive and present also among us," Pope Leo concluded, looking out at the weary but energized assembly. "How beautiful it is to find ourselves together in the boat!"
With a follow-up meeting now scheduled for June around the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the "synodal journey" continues—a journey not of completed agendas, but of listening, pausing, and trusting that Providence will provide the rest.
