VATICAN CITY

Traditionalist Catholics who felt sidelined by Pope Francis’ limitations on the Old Latin Mass celebrated on Saturday, marking a significant moment in St. Peter’s Basilica with what they interpret as explicit approval from Pope Leo XIV.

Cardinal Raymond Burke, a prominent conservative figure in America, led the Old Mass during the Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome. Just the night before, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy hosted a packed gathering for the pilgrims.

For many traditionalists, this occasion signals that Leo, who had felt overlooked by Francis due to 2021’s restrictions, might show greater understanding of their concerns.

Pope Francis acted after noticing that the resurgence of the traditional liturgy, especially in the U.S., coincided with an uptick in politically conservative movements and a decline in attendance at more progressive dioceses.

“I’m very hopeful,” shared Rubén Peret Rivas, a medieval philosophy professor from Argentina and organizer of the pilgrimage. He noted that Pope Leo’s initial approach seems to emphasize dialogue and genuine listening to diverse opinions.

The ongoing disputes about liturgy date back to the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which sought to modernize the church. These changes included the use of local languages instead of Latin during Mass, and having the priest face the congregation rather than the altar.

Over the years, the Old Latin Mass remained available, albeit not widely popular. The Vatican also dealt with the rise of the Society of St. Pius X, which rejected the Council’s reforms and focused solely on the Latin Mass.

Pope Benedict XVI, both as a cardinal and later as pope, aimed to mend the schism and reintegrate the SSPX group into the fold, fearing the proliferation of similar dissenting groups.

In 2007, Benedict eased restrictions on the Old Latin Mass to reach out to traditionalists.

“What previous generations held sacred remains sacred and great for us,” he stated back then.

However, in a significant move during his papacy, Francis reversed Benedict’s 2007 reforms in 2021, citing concerns that the spread of the Old Mass was causing division and being used by those opposed to Vatican II.

Under Francis’ guidelines, a newly ordained priest wishing to celebrate an ancient rite must have the bishop petition Rome for permission, and any additional parish designations or distant locations for the Mass must also be approved by the Holy See.

Unfortunately, rather than healing divisions, Francis’ actions appear to have deepened them.

“We are orphans,” lamented Christian Marquin, a French organizer of the pilgrimage.

Leo XIV, the first American pope, was elected with broad support and has expressed a desire for unity within the church. Many conservatives and traditionalists are urging him to mend liturgical rifts, especially concerning the Latin Mass.

Following Leo’s election, Marcanto wrote to him representing around 70 traditionalist groups, requesting the opportunity to celebrate the Old Mass during their annual pilgrimage.

Burke met with Leo on August 22nd and delivered this letter. Following that, Leo contacted Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the Archbishop of St. Peter’s, granting permission.

While Francis had allowed some Latin Masses in cathedrals post-2021 restrictions, this was only permitted for junior priests. In 2023 and 2024, however, Masses were not conducted primarily because traditionalists couldn’t find anyone willing to approach Francis for permission.

Leaked Vatican documents in July contradicted Francis’ justification for the restrictions. While he claimed to respond to the wishes of global bishops based on a 2020 survey, the leaked document indicated that most bishops were generally satisfied with the Old Latin Mass and warned against restrictions, suggesting they could “do more harm than good.”

James Rodio, a psychiatrist and father of three from Cleveland, Ohio, has been attending traditional Latin Mass with his family for almost three decades. He expressed that he found deep respect and symbolism in the liturgy.

Even with access to traditional Mass, Rodio and fellow parishioners felt “frustrated” by the restrictions imposed by Francis, sensing a lack of understanding. He questioned whether an organization tied to practices from the 16th and 17th centuries could dismiss them.

Rodio and his fellow congregants are hopeful about Leo’s leadership and anticipate greater opportunities for traditional liturgies. He believes Leo doesn’t need to fully overturn Francis’ decisions but simply needs to guide the Vatican Secretariat for Liturgy to more readily approve individual requests from bishops.

Recently, the Diocese of Cleveland was granted a two-year extension for the continuation of Latin Masses in two churches.

“I think Leo is working to find a sensible approach without being very public,” Rodio added.