The Pope opened the second consistory of his pontificate last Friday, June 26, with an opening Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica. (Photo from the Vatican News)
Thanking the College of Cardinals for the successful staging of the extraordinary consistory of some 178 cardinals from around the world, Pope Leo XIV closed the event by reiterating the focal topic of discussions throughout the activity with reflections on war, poverty and social fragmentation as well as deeper wounds such as loneliness and loss of meaning.
He likened the two-day gathering—which had a distinctly synodal format of working group discussions—to the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus in which Christ renews hope and clarifies mission.
The Pope said in his closing address that he was “particularly struck by the way [the cardinals] spoke about young people,” especially in their suffering that can at times lead “to the extreme despair of taking their own lives.”
“You have recognized one of the deepest wounds of our time yet you have also been able to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit (in their) search for authenticity, for genuine relationships and for meaning,” he noted.
Focusing on another of the world’s wounds—war—the 70-year-old American pontiff recalled themes from his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas , warning that war stems from a broader “culture of power” affecting politics, economics, and even religion.
“War is born within us, but it is precisely in the heart that peace is also decided. It is in that same heart where Christ continues to meet us, speak to us and to convert us,” he cited, calling for renewed commitment to dialogue, multilateral cooperation and nonviolent responses rooted in the Gospel.
Although the cardinals discussed “just war” during the consistory, Leo did not specifically mention the tradition in his address, noting instead the theme of self-defense in light of “profound transformations” in contemporary conflicts.
“Reflection on this topic needs to be further developed with necessary theological and pastoral rigor,” he advised while issuing a global appeal to
work towards peace and help the world reject violence and rediscover the Lord’s paths of reconciliation.
Leo XIV strongly declared: “God desires peace for every nation and every people.”
He underscored the importance of the family, the Church’s social doctrine and the formation of consciences while reaffirming the role of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue in promoting peace.
Leo urged the cardinals to deepen the Church’s synodal path as a “spiritual style” rooted in listening, discernment, and fidelity to the Gospel.
“Synodality is not primarily about structures or decision-making but about safeguarding the Church’s mission through shared discernment. The question, (though), is not ‘who decides’ but how we together safeguard the gift entrusted to the Church,” he stressed to encourage them to promote active participation across local Churches, saying that authentic synodality arises from encounter and openness to the Holy Spirit.
In his final words, the Pope ended by entrusting the fruits of the consistory to the intercession of Our Lady: “May she teach us to preserve unity in diversity and to serve the Gospel of peace with humility, courage, and hope.”