The Pope's Inner Circle: Forming A Catholic Consistory

In the Catholic Church, a consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals, which is convened by the pope. The term consistory comes from the Latin con-sistere, which means stand together. Consistories can be ordinary or extraordinary. An ordinary consistory is ceremonial and is usually attended by cardinals resident in Rome. The pope may hold an ordinary consistory to create new cardinals or vote on the causes of new saints. An extraordinary consistory is held to allow the pope to consult with the entire membership of the College of Cardinals.

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The pope decides to form a consistory

In the Catholic Church, a consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the pope. The pope can convene a consistory for a number of reasons, but one of the most common is to create new cardinals.

The pope can also call an extraordinary consistory, in which every cardinal is expected to take part, barring a serious reason for absence. An extraordinary consistory may be held to allow the pope to consult with the entire membership of the College of Cardinals.

Historically, consistories were also used by the pope to decide matters of state and dispense justice, with the support and advice of Roman bishops and those from other regions who happened to be in Rome. The pope would also use consistories to reveal a list of those to be elevated to the rank of cardinal.

The rite of the consistory was reformed in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, who elaborated a rite that put the imposition of the red biretta in a context of prayer, creating a spiritual bond between the cardinals and the pope.

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Cardinals are the pope's closest advisers

In the Catholic Church, a consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the pope. Cardinals are the pope's closest advisers and assistants, from all around the world. They are the pope's normal counsellors.

The pope can convene a consistory for a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons is to create new cardinals. The ceremony in which the pope makes cardinals is known as an ordinary public consistory. During the ceremony, the pope places a ring on the hand of each new cardinal, saying:

> Receive this ring from the hand of Peter and know that, with the love of the Prince of the Apostles, your love for the Church is strengthened.

The new cardinals will also each receive the formal decree (or papal bull) announcing their creation as a cardinal. The pope will also assign each new cardinal a church in the Diocese of Rome, called a "titular church". This further links the cardinal to Rome and to the pope.

Another reason for a consistory is to vote on the causes of new saints, the last step before formal canonization. There are also extraordinary consistories, in which every cardinal is expected to take part, barring a serious reason.

In the past, consistories were used by the pope to decide matters of state and dispense justice directly, with the support and advice of Roman bishops and those bishops from other regions who happened to be in Rome. However, over time, the functions of the Church were transferred to the Roman Curia, reducing the need for regular consistories.

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There are two types of consistory: ordinary and extraordinary

In the Catholic Church, a consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the pope. There are two types of consistory: ordinary and extraordinary.

An "extraordinary" consistory is held to allow the pope to consult with the entire membership of the College of Cardinals. This type of consistory is also used to discuss reforms, such as the reform of the Roman Curia in 2015. Extraordinary consistories are expected to be attended by every cardinal unless a serious reason prevents them from doing so.

An "ordinary" consistory is ceremonial in nature and is usually attended by cardinals resident in Rome. The pope may convene an ordinary consistory for a number of reasons. One common reason is to create new cardinals, with the pope elevating new cardinals to the College. For example, Pope Francis created cardinals at ten consistories at roughly annual intervals, with the last in December 2024. Another reason for an ordinary consistory is to vote on the causes of new saints, the final step before formal canonization.

The term "consistory" comes from the Latin "con-sistere", which means "stand together". Consistories were first instituted by Pope Paul III and continued by Popes Pius IV, Pius V, and Sixtus V. While the Roman Congregations diminished the importance of consistories, they continued to be held, albeit more rarely. In modern times, consistories are largely ceremonial, with their functions having been transferred to the Roman Curia.

Consistories are largely ceremonial

In the Catholic Church, a consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the pope. While consistories were once important for deciding matters of state and dispensing justice, they have become largely ceremonial in modern times.

There are two kinds of consistories: extraordinary and ordinary. An "extraordinary" consistory is held to allow the pope to consult with the entire membership of the College of Cardinals. These consistories are expected to be attended by all cardinals, barring a serious reason for absence. An "ordinary" consistory, meanwhile, is ceremonial in nature and is usually attended by cardinals resident in Rome.

Ordinary consistories are often convened to create new cardinals. In this ceremony, the pope formally publishes the decree of elevation, and new cardinals are presented with their rings, zucchetto (small skullcaps), and biretta (four-cornered silk hats). The pope also assigns each new cardinal a titular church in the Diocese of Rome.

Ordinary consistories may also be held to vote on the causes of new saints, the last step before formal canonization. Consistories can also be secret, semi-public, or public. Secret consistories are so called because only the pope and the cardinals are present. During these consistories, the pope may appoint bishops, archbishops, and patriarchs, and transfer these dignitaries from one see to another.

The rite of the consistory was reformed in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, who elaborated a rite that put the imposition of the red biretta in a context of prayer, thus giving a spiritual bond to the cardinals' intimate union with the Pope.

The pope elevates new cardinals at a consistory

In the Catholic Church, a consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the pope. The pope can convene a consistory for a number of reasons, one of the most common being to create new cardinals. This ceremony is known as an ordinary public consistory.

At the consistory, the pope elevates new cardinals in the presence of a number of, if not all, extant cardinals. Although the names of the new cardinals are usually announced in advance, they only formally become cardinals at the consistory when the pope formally publishes the decree of elevation. The new cardinals present are given their rings, zucchetto (small skullcaps), and biretta (four-cornered silk hats) by the pope. The zucchetto and biretta are scarlet, the distinctive colour of cardinals' vesture.

Before receiving these, the new cardinals make a profession of faith by reciting the Creed. They then pronounce an oath of fidelity and obedience to the pope and his successors. The pope will also assign each new cardinal a titular church in the Diocese of Rome, which further links the cardinal to Rome and the pope.

There are two types of consistories: extraordinary and ordinary. An "extraordinary" consistory is held for the pope to consult with the entire membership of the College of Cardinals. An "ordinary" consistory is ceremonial and is usually attended by cardinals resident in Rome.

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