Consistory

The Latest

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 2023, where he also blessed the pallia for new archbishops.

Vatican shares Pope Francis’ schedule for December consistory to create cardinals

Oct 12, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Dec. 8, Pope Francis will preside at a Mass with the College of Cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Mass in suffrage for the cardinals and bishops who have died in the past year, Nov. 2, 2022.

Pope Francis writes letter to new cardinals: You express the Church’s unity

Oct 12, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will add 21 members to the College of Cardinals at a consistory at the Vatican in December. Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Angelus reflection on Oct. 6, 2024.

Pope Francis urges married couples to ‘be open to life’

Oct 6, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In his Sunday Angelus address, the Holy Father asked couples to reflect on whether their married life is fully open... Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals for the Catholic Church on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. The men, whose ages range from 49 to 96, come from 15 different countries and five continents.

We asked the new cardinals: How should the Church evangelize the world today?

Sep 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

From digital communication to hope to listening to the Gospel, here is what 12 of the cardinals told CNA they... Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at a Saturday morning consistory in St. Peter’s Square, Sept. 30, 2023.

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, expanding body’s geographic diversity

Sep 30, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The pope shared a guiding image for the College of Cardinals: that of “a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and... Read more

The extraordinary consistory of cardinals meets at the Vatican's Synod Hall, Aug. 29, 2022.

What is a consistory? Your questions answered

Sep 29, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s consistory. Read more

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba and his episcopal coat of arms (top left); Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong and his episcopal coat of arms (top right); Bishop Américo Aguiar of Setúbal, Portugal, and his coat of arms (bottom left); Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town and his coat of arms.

Catholic Church’s new cardinals explain why they chose their spiritual mottos

Sep 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Episcopal mottos are selected when a Catholic priest is consecrated as a bishop and are traditionally found at the base... Read more

Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti with Pope Francis

ANALYSIS: How to interpret Pope Francis’ choice of new cardinals

Jul 11, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis has appointed the overwhelming majority of cardinals who will choose his successor. Read more

Pope Francis creates new cardinals at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including Archbishop Fernández

Jul 9, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 121 cardinals from 66 countries at eight consistories. Read more

Almost 200 cardinals answered the call to the extraordinary consistory in August 2022.

Behind the scenes and between the lines: Cardinals debate laity, power, synodality

Aug 31, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

There were no press conferences, reports, or sensational announcements at the end of the extraordinary consistory convened by Pope Francis... Read more

Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik

New cardinal and clergy chief: ‘My role is to encourage priests’

Aug 31, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A new cardinal and the Vatican’s prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy said his role is to encourage priests... Read more

The extraordinary consistory of cardinals meets at the Vatican's Synod Hall, Aug. 29, 2022.

197 cardinals meet behind closed doors — but what is being discussed?

Aug 29, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The cardinals of the Catholic Church have been called to Rome for an extraordinary consistory. It is the first of... Read more

Pope Francis at the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 27, 2022

One new cardinal did not attend the consistory due to heart problems — Here is what Pope Francis said:

Aug 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

Francis asked for prayers for the African prelate, explaining Baawobr had been taken ill. Read more

Cardinal Oscar Cantoni, bishop of Como, receives the red biretta from Pope Francis at the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 27, 2022.

Jesus asks us, ‘can I count on you?’ — Pope Francis creates 20 cardinals for the Catholic Church

Aug 27, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals for the Catholic Church during a liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica Saturday. Read more

Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

A fall from grace, a court case, the consistory: Four twists and turns in the life of Cardinal Angelo Becciu

Aug 26, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The possible reinstatement of the cardinal privileges of Cardinal Angelo Becciu made headlines this week after the former official said... Read more

Pope Francis holds an Ordinary Public Consistory in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, May 3, 2021.

Who will vote for a new pope after Francis? A look at the cardinals by the numbers

Aug 25, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 20 new cardinals, bringing the total number in the college to 229.  Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica Nov. 28, 2020.

Who are the new cardinals created by Pope Francis in 2022?

Aug 24, 2022

By Marco Mancini

There will be 16 cardinals under the age of 80 elevated at the next consistory, to be held Aug. 27.  Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Pope Francis calls first extraordinary consistory since 2015 — so what will the cardinals talk about?

Aug 24, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Since 2015, Pope Francis has not called an extraordinary consistory like the one to be held on August 29-30.  Read more

Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

Cardinal Becciu ‘reinstated’ by Pope Francis?

Aug 22, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Cardinal Becciu, who resigned from all positions and is involved in the Vatican’s historic corruption trial, will reportedly participate in... Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica Nov. 28, 2020.

What you need to know about Pope Francis’ next consistory

Aug 17, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Saturday, Aug. 27, Pope Francis will place a red biretta on the heads of 18 bishops and two priests,... Read more