On 13, 14 and 15 December the Council of Cardinals met at Casa Santa Marta. In attendance were Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Giuseppe Bertello, Oscar A. Rodriguez Maradiaga, S.D.B, Reinhard Marx, Sean Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap, Oswald Gracias and Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap; they were accompanied by the secretary of the Council, Bishop Marco Mellino.

Each Cardinal offered a presentation on his home region, reflecting on the current political and health situation and the progress of the pandemic. Cardinal Grech outlined the progress of the Synod's work, summarizing the journey undertaken so far and emphasising the enthusiasm of the Bishops' Conferences and the laity.

The Holy Father was present throughout the day on Tuesday and in the afternoon on Wednesday, and contributed to the general reflection by offering his own reading of the topics presented.

The meeting ended at 18.00 yesterday, and the Council adjourned to its next meeting, scheduled for February 2022.