(Summary from the Press Office).- After the Holy Mass celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Re, at 9:30 the cardinals gathered in the Paul VI Hall for the third session of the Consistory, moderated by Cardinal Rugambwa. Pope Leo XIV led the Adsumus prayer and, in his name, the moderating cardinal thanked the College for the words of support for his calls to peace and urged them to become even more effective, assuming their responsibility in the dioceses and regions of origin, so that a unanimous call would be raised that would give even more force to this common commitment.
Next, Cardinal Brislin took the floor to present his introductory report on the theme “Building in Good: the works of our time.” After a moment of prayer and silence, Cardinal Rugambwa began the group work and set the resumption of the plenary session, after the break, at 11:30.
The Pope, present at the beginning of the session, returned before the group presentations began. Eleven groups presented their reports in the Plenary: the eight from the first group and the three from the second.
exacerbated individualism, AI and polarization
Many groups centered their reflection on an analysis of the deep fractures of our time, among peoples, nations, within societies and families themselves, and on how these generate wounds, especially among the poorest, the weakest, young people—who lack a sense of novelty—and adults who lack the wisdom that comes with age. Many of the speeches highlighted the danger of lack of meaning and meaningful relationships, of identity, which push toward a tribal attitude. All emphasized the role of exacerbated individualism that leads to the illusion that others exist for our success.
In this context is inserted the challenge of artificial intelligence, as an anthropological dimension on which to reflect by identifying shared human values, starting from the call to give a name to living beings—and not reduce them to numbers and statistics—, to experience and accept the human sense of limit—which AI tends to deny—and to defend the dignity of work.
In this framework, many groups spoke of the value of the common good, as something difficult to assimilate and understand, which politics often does not seek; of how a language of the heart is needed to overcome conformism, corruption and the sense of impossibility generated by observing that the properties and resources to achieve it are in the hands of a few. The sense of the common good has its origin in faith, affirmed numerous groups, in faith in God and in the transcendent that exists in each person, which leads mankind to overcome all borders, the first one that takes him beyond himself, to live in solidarity with the poor, as a response to individualism, living fully the catholicity, building disinterested relationships—not institutions—at all levels, and seeking a language capable of dialogue with environments foreign to Christian faith.
In this the role of politics is essential, as well as the commitment of ecclesiastical institutions in the formation of future public servants, so that the social doctrine of the Church may be known and studied, as a remedy for divisions. The antidote to individualism and fractures—many groups agreed—is the Gospel, a Church that conveys a sense of belonging, capable of alleviating the wounds of our time, renewed to avoid forms of integralism and polarization, that makes visible its Samaritan face; Christians who are not mere spectators of social ruin, but wise architects rebuilding the city for all. In this context, it is a sign of hope the recognition that we face the same challenges, in many fields and in many parts of the world, and how communion with Christ makes us less concerned about what others think.
Several groups emphasized, in this sense, the value of synodality, as a path of listening and dialogue, and also of ecclesial responsibility.
At the end of the presentations, the floor was given to some cardinals, who took up the themes of the session in more personal terms. Others expressed their gratitude to the Pope for his recent apostolic journeys and his commitment to peace. The session concluded at 12:45 with the Angelus prayer, led by the Holy Father.