Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes on July 16, 2021, restricting Masses celebrated in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. The pope made sweeping changes to his predecessor Benedict XVI’s 2007 apostolic letter Summorum Pontificum, which acknowledged the right of all priests to say Mass using the Roman Missal of 1962, which is in Latin. Traditionis custodes (“Guardians of the tradition”) is dedicated to “the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the reform of 1970,” contains eight articles that go into immediate effect.
The Latest
Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage draws Traditional Latin Mass devotees to Rome
More than 1,000 pilgrims gathered in Rome for an annual three-day pilgrimage for those devoted to the Traditional Latin Mass... Read more
Synod cardinal speaks on LGBTQ+ Catholics and those who love the Traditional Latin Mass
At an Oct. 10 press conference on the Synod on Synodality, Cardinal Joseph Tobin responded to a question about those... Read more
Annual Requiem Latin Mass canceled at Westminster Cathedral in London after 50 years
Due to the restrictions outlined in the 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, the Requiem Mass has been moved to a... Read more
Pope Francis says traditional Latin Mass was being used in an ideological way
The pope spoke about the Latin Mass in a private conversation with Jesuits on the second day of his April... Read more
‘For love of the pope’: Latin Mass supporters post billboards near Vatican
A group of Traditional Latin Mass supporters in Italy has sponsored a billboard campaign in a neighborhood near the Vatican. Read more
Steubenville bishop bans Latin Mass at Franciscan University, effective immediately
Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of the Diocese of Steubenville ordered an immediate end to the Latin Mass on Franciscan University’s campus. Read more
Bishop Paprocki, Archbishop Naumann speak out in support of Traditional Latin Mass goers in their dioceses
The two U.S. prelates spoke on EWTN’s “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” March 2. Read more
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Bishop Paprocki: Local Latin Mass goers are ‘faithful Catholics’
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, told CNA that the Latin Mass community in his diocese has... Read more
Traditional Latin Mass attendees waiting to see impact of new Vatican restrictions
A newly issued clarification says that only the Vatican can grant permission for the Old Mass to be said in... Read more
Traditionis custodes: Cardinal says only Vatican can dispense from certain obligations
The head of the Vatican’s liturgy office said Tuesday that dispensations from two of the rules in Traditionis custodes can... Read more
Analysis: The significance of Cardinal Zuppi celebrating with Summorum Pontificum pilgrims
The head of the Italian bishops’ conference, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, presided over Vespers on Friday for an annual Traditional Latin... Read more
How Pope Francis is changing the shape of the Roman Curia
The new round of promotions and demotions in the Vatican is the consequence of two decisions recently taken by Pope... Read more
Arlington bishop offers path forward after implementing Traditional Latin Mass restrictions
Effective September 8, Burbidge’s directives allow eight parishes to continue offering the Traditional Latin Mass. But only three of those... Read more
Arlington bishop curtails Traditional Latin Masses
Thirteen parishes must stop offering Traditional Latin Masses come Sept. 8. Read more
Cardinal Gregory restricts Traditional Latin Masses to three locations in DC archdiocese
The new policy also requires priests to seek permission to say Mass "ad orientem." Read more
Beauty, truth, and unity: Why Pope Francis is so concerned with the liturgy
Why is the way liturgy is celebrated so important to Pope Francis? In a word, because he is concerned about... Read more
Pope Francis pens letter on liturgy after Traditionis custodes
The 15-page apostolic letter, Desiderio Desideravi, was published on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Read more
Pope Francis: ‘It’s not possible to worship God while making the liturgy a battleground’
Pope Francis said that the liturgy should not be “a battleground” for “outdated issues.” Read more
You saw the guitar blessing? There was more to that Mass that you missed
A tweeted video clip of a priest using a guitar to bless the congregation at the end of Mass sparked... Read more
What is Pope Francis’ plan for traditionalist groups?
A new decree underlines the pope’s complex relationship with the traditionalist world. Read more
