On 21 and 22 and in the afternoon of 23 February, a session of the Council of Cardinals took place at Casa Santa Marta.

Present at the meeting, together with the Holy Father, were Their Eminences Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Giuseppe Bertello, Óscar A. Rodríguez Maradiaga, S.D.B., Reinhard Marx, Sean Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Oswald Gracias and Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap., together with the secretary of the Council, Bishop Marco Mellino.

After a discussion in which the various cardinals spoke about the socio-political and ecclesial situation in their regions of origin, they reflected on the theme of synodality as a process of listening and discernment at the heart of the Church’s identity, and the necessary conversion that this requires on the part of the clergy and laity.

Subsequently, among the various topics discussed, there was a reflection on some aspects relating to the Holy See’s diplomatic service and the role and activity of nuncios in the current political and ecclesial framework.