“I am here to Listen… Help me Serve the Mission of the Church,” Pope Tells Cardinals at First Extraordinary Consistory

Opening the first Extraordinary Consistory of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV issued a stirring call for unity to the College of Cardinals, reminding the Church’s highest prelates that the Gospel is spread not through proselytism, but through the irresistible power of "attraction."

Addressing approximately 170 Cardinals gathered in the Synod Hall on the afternoon of January 7, the Holy Father set the spiritual tone for the two-day gathering by quoting the Gospel of John: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The Pope emphasized that the credibility of the Church’s mission hinges entirely on internal charity.

"While unity attracts, division scatters," Pope Leo XIV said. "In order to be a truly missionary Church, one that is capable of witnessing to the attractive power of Christ’s love, we must first of all put into practice his commandment... Only love is credible; only love is trustworthy."

A Resonant Message for Asia

For the Church in Asia, where Christians often live as a "little flock" amidst diverse religions and cultures, the Pope’s words hold particular significance. 

By explicitly rejecting proselytism and citing Pope Benedict XVI’s teaching that the Church "grows by attraction," Pope Leo validated the Asian Church’s long-standing approach of dialogue and witness of life.

Asian Cardinals are playing a pivotal role in this Extraordinary Consistory. As the Pope noted that reports would come from "nine groups coming from the local Churches," the voices of Asian prelates are expected to be central in shaping the "universal governance" of the Church. 

They bring to Rome the unique challenges of the continent—from the need for inter-religious harmony to the rising issues of poverty and migration—offering the Holy Father a perspective from the world's most populous continent.

Continuity and "The Force of Love"

Drawing a line of continuity through recent church history, Pope Leo invoked the Second Vatican Council’s Lumen Gentium, describing Christ as the "Light of the Nations."

He explained that the power driving this attraction is not human effort or marketing, but Charis and Agape—the love of God. 

"It is not the Church that attracts, but Christ," he reminded the cardinals. "To the extent that we love one another as Christ has loved us... he can continue to draw others to himself through us."

A Time for "Non Multa Sed Multum"

The Consistory is focusing on four key themes: Evangelii Gaudium (mission), Praedicate Evangelium (Curia reform), Synodality, and the Liturgy.

However, adopting the wisdom of the ancient Romans—Non multa sed multum (not many things, but much)—the Pope urged the Cardinals to prioritize depth over breadth. 

He noted that the assembly would focus on specific discussions to guide the "action of the Holy Father and of the Curia" for the next one or two years.

"I am here to listen," he affirmed. "We must not arrive at a text, but continue a conversation that will help me in serving the mission of the entire Church."