No concrete results came from Leo XIV’s first extraordinary consistory, which took place over two days, Jan. 7-8. None were expected.

Nearly two hundred cardinals participated in the talks, which focused – per the cardinals’ own choice – on evangelization and synodality, two of the four themes Leo proposed for their consideration.

The liturgical [...]

Through the first eight months of his reign, Pope Leo XIV has conducted himself as a transitional leader. The challenges he faced and the decisions he made were all somehow shaped by Pope Francis, who initiated the Holy Year and remained its principal point of reference until its end.

This period has been a [...]