Pope Francis’ decision to restrict the Traditional Latin Mass, a more ancient form of Catholic liturgy, has been a controversial aspect of his legacy as the leader of the Catholic Church. He expressed concern that the use of the Latin Mass was leading to division within the Church and being used in an ideological way in reaction to modernity, including the Vatican II mass. The Latin Mass, established by Pope St. Pius V in 1570, is characterized by being entirely in Latin and the priest facing “ad orientem,” away from the congregation.
During his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis took several actions to limit the use of the Latin Mass globally. The Latin Mass was relegated to a limited number of churches, often only offered by priests in specific orders devoted to it. In 2021, Francis issued instructions requiring priests seeking to say the Latin Mass to obtain approval from their local bishops. Subsequently, in 2023, he further restricted the Latin Mass by requiring bishops to obtain Vatican approval to allow it in their jurisdictions and prohibiting newly ordained priests from celebrating it.
This stance diverged from that of Pope Benedict XVI, who had allowed all priests to say the Latin Mass. In a conversation with Jesuits, Pope Francis expressed concern that his predecessor’s allowances were being used ideologically to regress, calling it a nostalgic disease, or “indietrismo.” He believed that restricting the Latin Mass was necessary to prevent this regression and was not in line with the pastoral vision of his predecessors. However, specific orders such as the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) were exempt from these restrictions, as the use of ancient liturgical books was fundamental to their existence.
Following a meeting between Pope Francis and Father Andrzej Komorowski, the FSSP released a statement clarifying that institutes like theirs were not affected by the general provisions of the motu proprio. The Pope acknowledged the importance of the ancient liturgical books in their constitutions and the history of their existence. Despite the restrictions on the Latin Mass, Pope Francis emphasized the significance of preventing regression and the nostalgic disease associated with it.
The controversy surrounding Pope Francis’ decision has sparked debate among Catholics worldwide. While some support his efforts to prevent division and a regressive approach to worship, others see the restriction of the Latin Mass as limiting the diversity and traditional practices within the Church. The balance between modernizing worship practices and preserving centuries-old traditions remains a complex and contentious issue within the Catholic Church, one that will likely continue to shape Pope Francis’ legacy and influence future decisions in the Church’s liturgy.
