Pontifical Latin Mass Returns to St. Peter’s During Landmark Weekend of Traditional Catholic Events

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 pilgrims, many of them young families, attended the Mass.

Pontifical solemn high Mass is celebrated Oct. 25 by Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica during the 14th International Pilgrimage Ad Petri Sedem in Rome. (photo: Courtesy of Don Elvir Tabaković)

ROME — Thousands of faithful from all over the world took part in a solemn pontifical Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by Cardinal Raymond Burke on Saturday, the culmination of a traditional Rome pilgrimage that saw its best-ever attendance.

Part of the annual international “Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage to the See of Peter,” which began in 2012, the pontifical Mass was suspended in 2022 following Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes (Guardians of the Tradition) the preceding year, which had led to sweeping restrictions of the traditional Roman Rite.

But in what has been called a “breakthrough” pastoral response, Pope Leo XIV gave permission for the pontifical Mass to go ahead this year — a gesture widely viewed as a pivotal moment in the Vatican’s approach, reflective of the growth in attendance of traditional Roman rite liturgies around the world and a strong backlash against the restrictions.

It followed a letter sent to Pope Leo after his election signed by some 70 traditional Catholic groups asking, among other things, for permission to celebrate the Mass as part of the annual pilgrimage to Rome.

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 pilgrims, many of them young families, attended the Mass — numbers so large it took the organizers and the Vatican by surprise…

Read the full article at www.ncregister.com

Clergy process towards St. Peter’s Basilica