Pope Leo XIV opened a high-profile, two-day meeting of the world’s cardinals on Friday with a forceful anti-war message, declaring that conflict is “never worthy of humanity” and “never blessed by God.” The closed-door assembly, known as a consistory, has brought 241 of the red-capped “princes of the church” to the Vatican.
It marks the second time the American-born pontiff has convened the global college of cardinals since his election in May 2025, signaling a shift toward a more collaborative and collegial leadership style.
Presiding over an opening Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo addressed a world currently fractured by intense international tensions, including ongoing global conflicts. In his homily, he urged global leaders and citizens to look beyond military might.
“International tensions and conflicts seriously wound the human family,” the Pope stated. “Even if we are equipped with high-tech weapons, the Creator has endowed us with intelligence and free will to resolve conflicts as human beings and not as beasts.”
The Pope’s consistent, unyielding messages of peace and critiques of military deterrence have previously drawn sharp criticism from various international political figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
Beyond his focus on the global geopolitical landscape, Pope Leo utilized the opening session to ask for the direct backing of his cardinals amid internal church pressures.“I need your strong, explicit and public support,” Leo told the gathered assembly. “I need to feel myself supported by you as brothers.”
The two-day consistory is designed to facilitate open dialogue, prayers, and workshops among the cardinals, who are tasked with advising the Pope and eventually electing his successor.
According to Vatican officials, the agenda for the closed-door meetings includes:While the gathering was initially expected to cover liturgical divisions surrounding the traditional Latin Mass, that topic was removed from the agenda.
The issue remains highly sensitive as a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics prepares to consecrate four new bishops next week in open defiance of the Vatican.
The consistory will conclude on Saturday, with cardinals strictly instructed not to speak to the media during the proceedings. Only the Pope’s opening and closing remarks will be made public by the Holy See.
