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Ecumenical Council (OSV Encyc. 1997)
Ecumenical or universal Councils are solemn assemblies of the bishops of the whole world, called together by the Pope and meeting under his authority and presidency. They are convened to discuss and regulate matter of church doctrine and discipline, normally in response to some important events or circumstances: essential unity may be in danger, questions may have arisen about the meaning or content of some fundamental aspects of the Church's teaching, pastoral directives may be thought necessary for a renewal of the work of evangelization...
The Pope is the principle and foundation of the unity, authority and legitimacy of a universal Council. Without him or not called by him, a Council would lack all right to be termed Ecumenical.
Each Council sheds new light on the Mind of Christ constantly present in the life of the Church, and so becomes a new element in the developent of doctrine and another event consolidating Catholic Tradition. Thus there is a necessary connection and continuity between all the Councils. Vatican II, the first Ecumenical Council in one hundred years and only the second in four hundred, is no exception. It can be fully understood and properly applied only if seen and studied in the light of earlier Councils, Magisterium and Tradition, to which its documents make constant reference.
When an Ecumenical Council defines some matter of belief, these definitions are infallible, for they constitute special exercises of the solemn Magisterium (cf. CCC 884), where the promised assistance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17), is fully present (cf. Acts. 15:28).