A traditional Latin Mass was celebrated at St Peter’s Basilica on August 26, 2023, by Cardinal Raymond Burke, under the explicit permission of Pope Leo XIV. This event has excited traditionalist Catholics who felt sidelined after Pope Francis imposed significant restrictions on the ancient liturgy in 2021. The basilica was filled to capacity, with a few thousand pilgrims, including many young families dressed in traditional attire, attending the two-and-a-half-hour service, which featured hymns, incense, and priests bowing to the altar.
The resurgence of the Latin Mass has been a point of contention within the Catholic Church. For many traditionalists, this Mass serves as a sign of a more sympathetic approach from Pope Leo XIV, contrasting sharply with the restrictions imposed by Pope Francis. The 2021 limitations were instituted as a response to what Francis characterized as divisiveness surrounding the ancient liturgy, particularly in the United States, where its popularity coincided with a rise in religious conservatism and a decline in attendance at progressive parishes.
Rubén Peretó Rivas, an Argentine pilgrimage organizer, expressed optimism about the current papacy, stating, “The first signs of Pope Leo are those of dialogue and listening, truly listening to everyone.”
The current tensions regarding the Latin Mass can be traced back to the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which modernized various church practices, including the celebration of Mass in local languages rather than Latin. Although the traditional Latin Mass remained available, it was not widely celebrated until Pope Benedict XVI relaxed the restrictions in 2007 in a bid to reach out to traditionalist groups.
In a controversial decision, Francis reversed this policy in 2021, reinstating limitations on the Latin Mass, claiming it had become a source of division among the faithful. Critics of this crackdown argue that it has deepened the rift rather than healing it.
Christian Marquant, a French organizer of the recent pilgrimage, referred to traditionalists as “orphans” in the context of the church’s ongoing internal struggles. Since Leo’s election, many conservative factions have looked to him for reconciliation within the church, particularly regarding the liturgical divisions surrounding the Latin Mass.
Following Leo’s election, Marquant reached out to him on behalf of 70 traditionalist groups, requesting permission to celebrate the Latin Mass during their annual pilgrimage to Rome. Burke presented this request to Leo during an audience on August 22, and permission was granted.
Despite the tensions, Pope Francis had allowed Latin Masses in St Peter’s Basilica even after his 2021 restrictions, permitting only low-ranking priests to celebrate these services. However, traditionalists found it increasingly difficult to secure permissions in 2023 and 2024, as the climate around the old liturgy remained contentious.
During the Mass, Burke did not address Pope Francis or the restrictions but focused on the significance of Benedict’s 2007 reform. He stated, “Through Benedict’s reform, the whole church is maturing in an ever deeper understanding and love for the great gift of the sacred liturgy, as it has been handed down to us in an unbroken line from the apostolic tradition.”
Recent leaked Vatican documents have cast doubt on the rationale behind Francis’ restrictions. While Francis claimed to be responding to feedback from bishops, the documents indicated that a majority were generally satisfied with the traditional Latin Mass and cautioned against restrictions that could result in further division within the church.
The celebration of the traditional Latin Mass at St Peter’s Basilica stands as a significant moment for traditionalist Catholics, offering a glimpse of potential changes in the Vatican under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV. As the church navigates its internal divisions, many are hopeful that a renewed focus on dialogue and inclusivity could pave the way for greater unity.
