The meeting of the Council of Cardinals, also known as C9, an organization established by the Holy Father to help him in the government of the universal Church and the reform project of the Roman Curia, began its meetings on the morning of this Monday, June 17, in the presence of Pope Francis at the Vatican. This is the third meeting of 2024 after those in February and April.

April’s work

In the last work session of April, attention was focused on the implementation of the apostolic constitution Praedicate evangelium in the diocesan Curiae, in war theaters in different parts of the world, “particularly in the Middle East and in Ukraine”, with the hope on the part of the cardinals and the Pope that efforts aimed at identifying paths of negotiation and peace will be increased. Also in previous meetings, the members of the Council had discussed “the role of women in the Church” and listened to the reflections of two women, Sister Regina da Costa Pedro and Professor Stella Morra.

The “new” C9

The Council of Cardinals, following the renewal of the organ by Pope Francis on March 7, 2023, is composed of Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State; Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Governorate of Vatican City State; Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, archbishop of Kinshasa; Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay; Seán Patrick O’Malley, archbishop of Boston; Juan José Omella Omella, archbishop of Barcelona; Gérald Lacroix, archbishop of Quebec; Jean-Claude Hollerich, archbishop of Luxembourg; Sérgio da Rocha, archbishop of San Salvador de Bahía. The secretary is Monsignor Marco Mellino, titular bishop of Cresima. The first meeting of the new C9 took place on April 24.

The creation of the Council of Cardinals

The Council of Cardinals was established by Pope Francis on September 28, 2013, with the task of assisting him in the government of the universal Church and of studying a draft revision of the Roman Curia, the latter implemented with the new constitution. Apostolic Praedicate Evangelium published on March 19, 2022. The first meeting of the C9 took place on October 1, 2013.