<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/pope-leo" rel="" target="_blank" title="Pope Leo XIV"><span>Pope Leo XIV</span></a><span> has summoned the world’s cardinals for two days of meetings to help him govern the church, the Vatican said, in the clearest sign yet that the new year will signal the unofficial start of his pontificate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The consistory, as such gatherings are called, will be held January 7-8, immediately following the January 6 conclusion of the 2025 Holy Year, a once-every-quarter century celebration of Christianity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-pope-election-conclave-white-smoke-rises-from-sistine-chapel-chimney-meaning-new-catholic-church-leader-chosen/ed3b6a05-2132-43ac-aadd-6d645849c416" rel="" target="_blank" title="Leo’s first few months as pope"><span>Leo’s first few months as pope</span></a><span> have been dominated by fulfilling the weekly Holy Year obligations of meeting with pilgrimage groups and celebrating special Jubilee audiences and Masses.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-shooting-memorial-to-be-cleared-after-national-day-of-mourning/35023698-6b5e-4304-8a89-e1942734ea7c" rel="" target="_blank" title="Bondi floral tributes to be cleared as Australia marks one week since tragedy"><strong><span>Bondi floral tributes to be cleared as Australia marks one week since tragedy</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pressure-mounts-on-victorian-government--to-take-action-over-antizionist-rally/9e1addbc-9bd5-4602-bbfa-885882c6fbee"><strong><span>'Pour petrol on the fire': Frydenberg's warning to Victorian premier</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Additionally, much of his time has been spent wrapping up the outstanding matters of Pope Francis' pontificate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As a result, the January consistory in many ways will mark the first time that Leo can look ahead to his own agenda following his May 8 election as the first American pope.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/pope-leo-summons-worlds-cardinals-for-a-key-assembly-to-help-him-govern-the-church/e4131721-db0a-43ae-b26c-5aed5b2d760c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is significant that he has summoned all the world’s cardinals to Rome.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Francis had largely eschewed the consistory tradition as a means of governance. He had instead relied on a small group of eight or nine hand-picked cardinal advisers to help him govern and make key decisions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/calls-for-royal-commission-into-bondi-beach-terror-attack/cmjdymd86000i0hnpzpygec8g"><strong><span>Calls for royal commission into Bondi Beach terror attack</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Vatican said that Leo’s first consistory “will be oriented toward fostering common discernment and offering support and advice to the Holy Father in the exercise of his high and grave responsibility in the government of the universal Church.”</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other types of consistories include the formal installation of new cardinals. But no new cardinals will be made at this meeting, which is purely consultative.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>