Cardinals from all over the world gathered for an Extraordinary Consistory of the in the Vatican from 26-27 June 2026, at which themes of conflict, peace, community and synodality took centre-stage.

In an interview with the Bishops’ Conference after the Consistory, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who attended the “demanding meeting”, which began at 07.30 each morning, shared:

“We had three or four key themes. The first one was, what are the experience of people today, and how does that represent a challenge for the Church? One clear challenge that the Pope reflected in his summary was about the isolation and loneliness which comes with it becoming more difficult to tell what’s true and what isn’t true.

“The second theme was centred around war, appeals for peace and an understanding of just war. In his very opening homily, the Pope made a very strong plea for peace. He said, you know, we might be possessing of hugely technically clever weapons, but God has also given us intellect and will, and we should be using those to find solutions because resorting to arms is always a tragedy.”

Cardinal Nichols recalled discussions on theory of just war and reflected that “there was a sense that it’s very difficult to put those two words together.”

Constructive discussions also took place on “how we build” both within the Church and with those outside the Church with whom we share a goal to achieve the common good, despite perhaps not agreeing on everything.

“What are the tools of construction for— you can use different languages— Pope Leo’s phrase of the construction sites of the New Jerusalem, or you can use Pope Paul VI’s phrase of a civilization of love?

“How do you manage partnerships for a common good, a good that’s for everyone, even though there are areas of disagreement within that partnership?”

The Consistory finished with some clear indications for the Cardinals to take back to their local communities.

“One of the things that was suggested to us, and I’m very glad to do it, was that in returning home we can share how strong the Pope’s appeal for peace really is, and to try and echo that.

“Violence should never have the last word. There’s always been a culture of power in our histories, but we’ve got to oppose that and look for ways of building understanding. The best definition of the common good is, if anybody is excluded from its benefit, then it’s not common. A common good is a notion that excludes nobody. That’s why it’s such a challenge.”

Following the Consistory, on Monday 29 June, the Cardinals gathered once more with the Pope and new Archbishops from all over the world to celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and to witness the new Archbishops receiving the Pallium from Pope Leo.

The themes of the Consistory were echoed in this celebration, including a powerful prayer for peace during the Mass which, Cardinal Nicholas said, “reflected very closely the insistence of Pope Leo over these last few days.”

Describing the “beautiful moment” when Pope Leo bestows the Pallium, Cardinal Nichols reflected:

“The other thing I love about the ceremony of the Pallium is just that vividness of these simple vestments made of lamb’s wool from Eastertide which have been placed on the tomb of Peter overnight. They’re brought from the tomb of Peter and put into the hands of the successor of Peter, who then gives them to the new Archbishops, who undertake that great fidelity to the Pope in every aspect of their ministry.”