Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his vestry on Wednesday with his inaugural meeting with the world’s cardinals, a special two-day conference centered on church teachings that some traditional Catholics oppose.
The pope, who hails from Chicago, kicked off the gathering in Rome by calling for unity around Vatican II, the pivotal council from the 1960s that brought modernization to the Catholic Church and largely phased out the traditional Latin Mass.
“Dear brothers and sisters, today we begin a new series of doctrines that reflect on the Second Vatican Council and its documents,” Leo stated during the morning audience. “We have ensured that the document remains relevant and meets today’s demands and challenges. A careful examination of the Council’s documents will guide us in interpreting the signs of the times and sharing the Gospel far and wide.”
He also mentioned that he would focus his weekly teachings on an in-depth reading of the essential documents from the Second Vatican Council.
Leo emphasized that Vatican II should not be filtered through unauthorized interpretations or rumors, asserting that the council continues to serve as a guiding star in the Church’s journey today.
A contentious aspect of Vatican II was its shift from the traditional Latin Mass to vernacular liturgy, which was meant to facilitate greater participation from parishioners. Even six decades later, many traditional Catholics— notably a significant segment of young American conservatives— still reject elements of the council, advocating for a return to the traditional Latin Mass and the norms set by Pope Benedict XVI, which they believe fostered greater church unity.
Archbishop Georg Genwein remarked, “It’s precisely the Latin Mass that has not just helped the Church endure for centuries, but has also ensured the sacred is sustained by the Church. Something valid and valuable yesterday can’t suddenly become invalid today. That’s just unnatural.”
Pope Leo, who assumed his role last year, seems to lean towards traditionalism, as evidenced by the decision of some cardinals to gather all rather than just select individuals for extraordinary meetings.
With the conclusion of the Church’s Jubilee Year, Leo used the conference as an unofficial kickoff for his pontificate and his agenda. However, discussions seemed to lean heavily on Pope Francis’ contributions, which have restricted the Latin Mass significantly. Topics included Francis’ key reform documents alongside his appeal for a more “synodical” Church, responsive to parishioners’ needs.
Bishop Robert Barron of Winona Rochester expressed concern about the focus of the gathering, linking it to ongoing issues stemming from Vatican II. He commented, “It’s precisely the spirit of Vatican II that has led to much turmoil during my adult life. As long as the Church holds councils, it remains anxious and unsure.”
Barron argued that if synodality is to continue, it should concentrate on practical matters like worship, evangelism, and service to the poor, rather than being a constant, defining feature of Church life.
The discussion regarding the traditional Latin Mass remains on the agenda, but specifics aren’t yet clear. Leo also had a private meeting on Wednesday with Cardinal Joseph Zen, a conservative figure previously avoided by Francis.
Critics of Francis hope that Leo XIV might relax restrictions on the Latin Mass, but, given his emphasis on church unity and Vatican II, it seems he may take a cautious approach before implementing any changes, as suggested by Matthew Schmalz, a professor of religious studies.
