Pope Leo XIV concluded the Extraordinary Consistory on June 27 by urging cardinals to deepen communion and embrace synodality not as an organizational model but as a way of living the Church's mission.
The two-day gathering, held at the Vatican from June 26–27, brought together cardinals from around the world to reflect on the Church's mission, synodality, peace, and the challenges facing humanity.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo thanked the cardinals for the “freedom, fraternity, and ecclesial spirit” that marked their discussions, describing the meeting as “an experience of communion at the service of mission.”
“We have sought together the will of the Lord, convinced that Christ continues to act in his Church,” the Pope said. “Seeing cardinals from such diverse Churches, cultures, and situations listening to one another and seeking together what best serves the Gospel has been for me a source of consolation and hope.”
At the heart of his closing address, Pope Leo emphasized that synodality is not simply a process or a series of meetings, but a fundamental way of being Church.
Citing Vatican News, the Pope said the real question is not “who has the power to decide,” but “how do we together safeguard the gift that the Lord has entrusted to his Church?”
He encouraged the cardinals to continue implementing the synodal journey in their local Churches through dialogue, mutual listening, and discernment guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Pope also reflected on the suffering of today's world, saying the cardinals had expressed concern over wars, poverty, injustice, and violence. Yet, he noted that beneath these crises lies a deeper human tragedy marked by loneliness, broken relationships, hopelessness, and an inability to recognize one another as brothers and sisters.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo highlighted the struggles of young people searching for meaning and authenticity, as well as the importance of families as schools of hope, solidarity, and healthy relationships. He announced an October meeting with leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches and presidents of bishops' conferences to review the reception of Amoris Laetitia, with families participating in the discussions.
Addressing the issue of peace, the Pope warned that war grows out of a broader “culture of power” that shapes politics, economics, technology, and even religion. He called instead for a culture of dialogue, cooperation, and nonviolence rooted in the Gospel.
Pope Leo stressed that authentic renewal begins not with institutional reform but with communities that credibly witness to the Gospel through their encounter with Christ.
Before concluding the Consistory, the Pope and the College of Cardinals also expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquake that struck the country, assuring prayers for the victims, their families, rescue workers, and all those affected.
Concluding the gathering, Pope Leo entrusted the fruits of the Consistory to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and urged the cardinals to carry forward a shared appeal for reconciliation and peace.
“God continues to open paths of reconciliation and peace in history,” he said. “We have the responsibility to walk them with courage and to help the world recognize them.”
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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