[Catholic Caucus] Traditionalists rejoice that top US cardinal allowed to celebrate old Latin Mass at St. Peter’s

AP ^ | September 8, 2025 | Nicole Winfield

[fidelis]

ROME (AP) — Traditionalist Catholics celebrated news Monday that the Vatican under Pope Leo XIV had given them permission to celebrate the old Latin Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica during their upcoming pilgrimage.

U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke, a figurehead of the conservative and traditionalist wing of the church, will celebrate the Mass on Oct. 25, the pilgrimage organizers said.

The development was significant, given Pope Francis had alienated many traditionalists and conservatives with his yearslong crackdown on the ancient liturgy. His reform greatly restricted its celebration globally and at the Vatican, and fueled conservative opposition to his pontificate.

Burke, who became a high-profile critic of Francis, has met at least twice with Leo in formal audiences, most recently on Aug. 22. Burke was believed to be a key behind-the-scenes player rallying conservative votes in the May conclave that elected the former Cardinal Robert Prevost pope.

Leo has said his aim is unity and reconciliation in the church, and many conservatives and traditionalists have urged him to heal the liturgical divisions that spread over the Latin Mass, especially in the United States, during Francis’ 12-year papacy.

[fidelis]

In the year immediately after Francis’ crackdown, the annual Latin Mass pilgrims were allowed to celebrate their old liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica as they had done before. But they were prevented from celebrating the Mass in 2023 and 2024, though they were allowed to celebrate prayers there.

[frogjerk]

Beware of window dressing from Pope Leo. With what happened with the sacrilege of the gays last week and no accountability at the Vatican about has this was allowed to happen when the Pope himself approved of the bishop saying a mass for the gays.

[fidelis]

"Beware of window dressing from Pope Leo."

Not swayed one way or the other about him at this point. Just reporting the news, and praying for him as all Catholics should be doing.

[frogjerk]

I said to my wife - lets give him 6 months before we know where he ultimately stands. His honeymoon is over. Let’s see how he addresses this scandal. So far, not good in my opinion.

[irishjuggler]

Obviously a trad pope who was “all in” on the conservative side would be a dream, but after Bergoglio, and after the fears of a stacked college of cardinals electing a Bergoglio II who would be worse, all I can say is THANK GOD we now have a pope who is at least backing off on the persecution. The trad side will flourish if it’s merely left alone.

[Bigg Red]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻