Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado
In his first intervention at the consistory, Pope Leo XIV made it clear that he does not govern alone and that he needs his collaborators.
POPE LEO XIV
The ministry that the Lord has entrusted to me, I cannot carry out alone. It requires your experience, your pastoral wisdom, your knowledge of the Churches and the peoples that have been entrusted to you. I am counting on you to help me discern what the Spirit is saying to the Church today. I need your support: firm, explicit, and public. I need to feel supported by you as by brothers.
The pope is also aware that the synodal format is not to everyone's liking. He said so explicitly, asking the Cardinals to be flexible and confirming that he is always available to listen.
POPE LEO XIV
I know that, for many of us, this is not the usual way of conducting a Consistory. However, this is also part of the path along which the Lord is guiding us. Naturally, there will also be space for personal contributions and, as always, everyone is welcome to freely share their personal observations or reflections with me. But I ask you to participate with trust in this ecclesial exercise.
The Pope explained to the Cardinals how the topics and sessions would develop. This first papal discourse set the stage for two days of intense work at the Vatican.
