Pope Leo XIV is expected to summon the world’s cardinals to Rome in early January next year for an extraordinary consistory, according to a Vatican communication circulated this week. Speculation among some Curial circles suggests that the January consistory may coincide with preparations for Pope Leo’s first encyclical. A priest working in the Curia told the Catholic Herald that the meeting may relate to the first papal encyclical that is yet to be released or given a firm release date.