Gathering approximately 170 Cardinals—including Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD and Cardinal Ladislav Német, SVD—in the Synod Hall on January 7 and 8, the Holy Father set a spiritual tone focused on the essence of missionary identity.

Addressing the College of Cardinals, the Pope emphasized that in a fractured world, the Gospel is spread not through proselytism or marketing strategies, but through the irresistible power of “attraction.”

Mission by Attraction, Not Proselytism
Drawing on the teachings of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, and the Second Vatican Council’s Lumen Gentium, the Pope reminded the Church’s highest prelates that credibility hinges entirely on internal charity.

“It is not the Church that attracts, but Christ,” Pope Leo stated. “While unity attracts, division scatters. In order to be a truly missionary Church… we must first of all put into practice his commandment… Only love is credible; only love is trustworthy.”

For the Society of the Divine Word, this message is a powerful affirmation of the Order’s charism. Working in diverse cultural contexts often marked by secularization or religious plurality, the Pope’s rejection of proselytism in favor of Charis and Agape validates a missionary approach rooted in the witness of life and intercultural living.

“We Cannot Remain on the Beach”
The Consistory opened with a profound meditation by Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., who challenged the assembly to embrace their role within the “Barque of Peter” amidst the tempests of history—including war, poverty, and internal Church division.

“We cannot remain on the beach saying ‘Myself, I would not go sailing today,’” Cardinal Radcliffe warned, urging the Cardinals to abandon the “old logic of calculation.”

“If the boat of Peter is filled with disciples who quarrel, we shall be of no use to the Holy Father,” he added—a reminder that intercultural community life is itself a primary form of mission.

A New Tone of Governance: Listening to the Local Church
From a communication perspective, the structure of the meeting spoke as loudly as the words. Cardinal Kikuchi, serving as a key voice from the Church in Asia, described the gathering as a deliberate effort by the Pope to shift the center of gravity from the Roman Curia to the local churches.

“While the Pope is regularly available to cardinals based in Rome, this meeting was intended to focus especially on the experiences and perspectives of those serving in dioceses,” Kikuchi noted.

This approach addresses a specific concern raised during the general congregations prior to the papal election: that many newly appointed cardinals did not know one another. According to Cardinal Kikuchi, the Consistory was a direct response to the desire for stronger collegiality, utilizing the “Conversation in the Spirit” method familiar to the Synod.

The dedication to this new path of “walking together” was visible in the room. Kikuchi highlighted the moving presence of elderly cardinals who, despite attending in wheelchairs, showed a fierce determination to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them.

A Pope With a Notebook
The atmosphere was one of genuine exchange. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Philippines described a Pope who was deeply attentive: “It was refreshing to see that the Holy Father did more listening than talking. He came with a notebook, he was taking notes, and he was very, very attentive.”

Despite the exhaustion of marathon sessions and lack of financial support for travel—requiring cardinals to arrange their own logistics—spirits remained high.

The small-group format allowed for a global fraternity, giving voice to peripheries often unheard in the central governance of the Church.

“Non Multa Sed Multum”: Depth Over Breadth
The discussions focused on two primary themes chosen by the assembly: Synodality and Mission (based on Evangelii Gaudium). Adopting the ancient Roman maxim Non multa sed multum (not many things, but much), the Pope urged the Cardinals to prioritize depth over breadth.

Pope Leo XIV acknowledged that the gathering was a “work in progress,” focused on starting a conversation rather than finalizing a text. “I am here to listen,” he affirmed. “I feel the need to be able to count on you… that we discern together what the Spirit is asking of us.”

Implications for the SVD Mission
As the Consistory concluded, the Pope left the College with a provocative question: “Is there life in our Church?”

Answering in the affirmative, he challenged the Cardinals to make space for “what is being born.”

For the SVD, this Consistory serves as a call to renew the Society’s commitment to being a “listening” congregation. Cardinal Kikuchi observed that the meeting signaled a “renewed commitment to synodal governance,” reinforcing the path of the Church as the People of God.

This mirrors the Order’s dedication to the fourfold dialogue. As the SVD Cardinals return from this historic gathering, the message is clear: the mission of the future will be built on the credibility of authentic love and the quality of listening.

“How beautiful it is to find ourselves together in the boat!” the Pope concluded.

The work of the Consistory will continue, with Pope Leo XIV expressing his intention to hold similar gatherings annually, with the next meeting scheduled for June 2026.