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.

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Solemn Mass is celebrated at St. Clement Parish, Ottawa, Canada, which is entrusted to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).

What is Pope Francis’ plan for traditionalist groups?

Feb 22, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A new decree underlines the pope’s complex relationship with the traditionalist world. Read more

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Traditionalist communities cautiously optimistic after FSSP news

Feb 21, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Traditional Latin Mass attendees expressed cautious optimism on Monday after a traditionalist community released a communique detailing their continued permission... Read more

The prostration of the ordinands at the Fraternity of St. Peter's Roman Parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, June 27, 2013

What is the FSSP?

Feb 21, 2022

By Carl Bunderson

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, a society of apostolic life which celebrates the Roman rite according to the liturgical... Read more

June 22,2013: The prostration of the ordinands during the Litany of the Saints at the Fraternity of St. Peter's Roman parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini in Rome

FSSP says Pope Francis has issued decree confirming its use of 1962 liturgical books

Feb 21, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The decree reportedly followed two FSSP members’ private audience with the pope. Read more

Harrison Butker, an NFL kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, is an altar server at Traditional Latin Masses.

Saddened by restrictions, NFL star speaks out in defense of Traditional Latin Mass

Feb 14, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

In an exclusive interview with CNA, Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker shares his love of the Traditional Latin Mass... Read more

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington.

2,800 Catholics sign Traditional Latin Mass petition delivered to Arlington bishop

Jan 31, 2022

By Katie Yoder, Christine Rousselle

Nearly 2,800 supporters of the Traditional Latin Mass have signed a petition addressed to Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington. The... Read more

Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrates a Pontifical Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament at Corpus Christi Church, Maiden Lane, London, Sept. 11, 2021.

Cardinal Nichols: Traditional rite confirmations no longer permitted

Jan 25, 2022

By Luke Coppen

The Latin Mass Society urged the cardinal to reconsider his stance. Read more

Priest celebrating the traditional Latin Mass at the church of St Pancratius, Rome

'Devastated' Traditional Latin Mass devotees petition Arlington bishop to ease restrictions

Jan 18, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington has prohibited baptisms and weddings in the Extraordinary Form, citing Pope Francis' new directive curbing... Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago.

Cardinal Cupich issues new restrictions on Traditional Latin Masses

Dec 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Blase Cupich has issued a new policy for the Archdiocese of Chicago that curtails the celebration of the Traditional... Read more

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Traditional Latin Mass restrictions: Here's what you need to know

Dec 18, 2021

By CNA Staff

New moves by Pope Francis mean changes for Catholics dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass —and for the priests and... Read more

Priest celebrating the traditional Latin Mass at the church of St Pancratius, Rome

Traditionis custodes: Vatican further tightens restrictions on Traditional Latin Mass

Dec 18, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The explanatory document, which bans confirmations and ordinations according to pre-Vatican II Roman Missals, was published Dec. 18 with Pope... Read more

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, South Carolina

Bishop of Charleston prohibits confirmation, anointing of the sick in ‘Tridentine Form’

Nov 22, 2021

By Katie Yoder

Priests in the Diocese of Charleston, S.C. may no longer administer confirmation or the anointing of the sick in Latin... Read more

Archbishop Arthur Roche at a Vatican press conference on Feb. 10, 2015.

Vatican archbishop: Traditional Latin Mass ‘experiment’ not successful in reconciling SSPX

Nov 16, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Roche discussed Pope Francis’ motu proprio Traditionis custodes in a television interview. Read more

Mass during the 10th annual Populus Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage to Rome, Oct. 29-31, 2021.

Traditionis custodes: Rome diocese bans Traditional Latin Mass for Easter Triduum

Nov 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

No other sacraments may be celebrated according to the pre-Vatican II missal except the Mass. Read more

Archbishop Arthur Roche at the Vatican press office on Feb. 10, 2015.

Vatican liturgy chief: Traditional Latin Mass ‘abrogated by Pope St. Paul VI’

Nov 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Arthur Roche was replying to a letter from a cardinal. Read more

Bishop Glen Provost of Lake Charles

Bishops of Lake Charles, Raleigh issue statements on Latin Mass

Oct 21, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Three months after the release of Traditionis custodes, Pope Francis’ restrictions on traditional liturgies, U.S. bishops are continuing to implement... Read more

The prostration of the ordinandi during the Litany of the Saints at Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, the FSSP's parish in Rome, June 22, 2013.

Churchgoing Catholics disapprove of limits on Traditional Latin Mass, but Pope Francis still popular

Oct 8, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis’ restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass appear to be unpopular among regularly practicing Catholics, but most American Catholics... Read more

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo at the USCCB autumn General Assembly in Baltimore, Nov. 12, 2018.

Traditional Latin Masses to end in some Houston parishes but continue in others, Cardinal DiNardo says

Sep 2, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Several parishes may continue to celebrate Traditional Latin Masses in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, but several others must cease, Cardinal... Read more

A Traditional Latin Mass.

Traditionis custodes: Traditional Catholic institutes appeal to French bishops for ‘mediator’

Sep 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

The institutes’ superiors appealed for “a human, personal dialogue.” Read more

The Pontifical North American College is a major seminary in Rome that educates seminarians from U.S. diocese and elsewhere.

North American College to cancel teaching and celebrating Masses in the Extraordinary Form

Aug 31, 2021

By Alejandro Bermudez

In a memo sent to "the Community'' at the North American College (NAC), Rector Fr. Peter Harman announced that all... Read more