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The U.S. bishops attend group meetings with officials of several Vatican agencies.

They include the congregations in charge of doctrine, clergy, bishops, worship, education and religious orders, and pontifical councils that deal with ecumenism, the family and laity. The bishops are being encouraged to meet with the council for new evangelization, and some will hold talks with the council for health care.

These discussions involve shared concerns and interests, but some bishops also schedule private meetings with Vatican officials to deal with specific diocesan issues.

Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura: the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church (apart from the Pope himself, who as the supreme ecclesiastical judge, is the final point of appeal for any ecclesiastical judgment). It also oversees the administration of justice in the Church.

Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity: The Council has a two roles -

1. The promotion within the Catholic Church of an authentic ecumenical spirit according to the conciliar decree Unitatis Redintegratio.
2. To develop dialogue and collaboration with the other Churches and World Communions.

Congregation for Divine Worship: the congregation of the Roman Curia that handles most affairs relating to liturgical practices of the Latin Catholic Church as distinct from the Eastern Catholic Churches and also some technical matters relating to the Sacraments.

Congregation for Clergy: the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders. The Congregation for the Clergy handles requests for dispensation from active priestly ministry, as well as the legislation governing presbyteral councils and other organizations of priests around the world.

Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith: the oldest of the nine congregations of the Roman Curia. Among the most active of the congregations, it oversees Catholic Church doctrine.

Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization: In 2010, Pope Benedict created a pontifical council charged with the "renewed evangelization" of the "deserts of the secularized world". The pope indicated that he intended in this way "to promote a renewed evangelization" in the countries which "are experiencing the progressive secularization of society and a sort of 'eclipse of the sense of God'

Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life: the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for everything which concerns institutes of consecrated life (orders and religious congregations, both of men and of women, secular institutes) and Society of Apostolic Life regarding their government, discipline, studies, goods, rights, and privileges.

Pontifical Council for the Family: part of the Roman Curia that "promotes the pastoral care of families, protects their rights and dignity in the Church and in civil society, so that they may ever be more able to fulfill their duties."

Congregation for Catholic Education: the Pontifical congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for: seminaries and houses of formation of religious and secular institutes; universities, faculties, institutes and higher schools of study, either ecclesial or civil dependent on ecclesial persons; and schools and educational institutes depending on ecclesiastical authorities.

Pontifical Council for the Laity: has the responsibility of assisting the Pope in his dealings with the laity in lay ecclesial movements or individually, and their contributions to the Church.