Only between 30 and 40 cardinals will be absent, probably for health reasons and travel difficulties.
Cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome on August 29 and 30 to reflect on the new Apostolic Constitution reforming the Roman Curia.
The Pope announced on May 29 that the Consistory to be held on August 27, during which he will create 20 new cardinals, including 16 electors, will be followed by two days of meetings of cardinals on the new Apostolic Constitution. Evangelium Predicatewhich governs the organization of the Roman Curia since its entry into force on June 5, the day of Pentecost.
Here are some details of the gathering, as announced by the Vatican press office:
The two working days will start in the morning at 9:00 a.m. and resume in the afternoon at 4:00 p.m., after a break for lunch. There will be language group meetings to discuss different aspects of the document, and there will also be discussions in plenary. This methodology is similar to that of the synods, although the brevity of this assembly does not allow all the participants to express themselves.
In total, the press office reports that 197 participants have confirmed their attendance, mostly cardinals, but also eastern patriarchs and heads of the secretariat of state.
Non-elective cardinals have been invited, bringing the total number of cardinals invited to 226. Between 30 and 40 cardinals will be absent, likely for health reasons and travel difficulties.
The assembly will end with the consistorial mass, celebrated on Tuesday August 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Saint Peter’s Basilica. This mass usually takes place on Sundays, but it has been postponed due to Pope Francis’ visit to L’Aquila the day after the Consistory.
