Pope Leo XIV called for global peace and an end to wars on June 26 (local time), stating, "War can never receive God's blessing."

According to the Holy See, the Pope stated this during his opening address at the consistory, saying, "Even with advanced weaponry, the Creator has endowed us with intelligence and free will to resolve conflicts as humans, not as beasts."

He added, "The unity of humanity takes precedence over individual peoples and nations," and emphasized, "This is not merely a biological fact, but an ethical principle."

This consistory marks the second one since the accession of Pope Leo XIV.

In January of this year, Pope Leo XIV decided to make the consistory an annual event.

This has drawn attention as it contrasts with the policy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who held only one consistory during his pontificate.

Cardinals are the highest-ranking clergy in the Catholic Church after the Pope.

The meeting is being held behind closed doors.

It is reported that the agenda includes discussions on current international affairs, the recently published encyclical on artificial intelligence (AI), and the Church's efforts to listen to the demands of the laity.

Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, and Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, former Archbishop of Seoul, are also in attendance.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)