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Cardinal Matteo Zuppi celebrated pontifical Vespers yesterday evening in Rome’s Basilica of San Lorenzo, drawing scores of pilgrims who overflowed through the basilica’s doors.
On Friday, 24 October, the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage started as Cardinal Zuppi, who is known to be sympathetic to the traditional form of the Roman liturgy – while also being considered “progressive” – took the celebrant’s role at Vespers in the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Rome.
As the procession of clergy and faithful gathered, there was a strong presence of priests, diocesan clergy from Rome and members of traditional societies such as the Fraternity of St Peter and the Institute of the Good Shepherd.
At the conclusion of the Pontifical Vespers, Cardinal Zuppi embraced Cardinal Burke, with the two prelates sharing a few words before parting. The moment, warmly received by the faithful, had commentators noting that it was a striking encounter given their differing reputations within the Church.
Cardinal Zuppi is often identified with the Church's more progressive wing, while Cardinal Burke is seen as a leading defender of traditional doctrine and liturgy. Yet, within the parameters of the pilgrimage, both men appeared united in common prayer, offering a visible sign of fraternity amid divisions that have marked the post-Traditionis Custodes era.
Commentators also noted that such a gesture between two cardinals from different wings of the Church, though simple, carried a powerful message. While Cardinal Zuppi’s participation in the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage remains an exception rather than the rule, his presence, together with that of Cardinal Burke, has been seen by some as a symbol of possible reconciliation within the Church’s liturgical life.
Dom Lenzi of the Institute of the Good Shepherd served as master of ceremonies during the event, assisted by other celebrants. Among senior Church figures also present were Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke and Monsignor Wach of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP).
The Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage began in 2012 and had become a fixture in the traditional-liturgies calendar. However, following the issue of the apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes by Pope Francis, which imposed sweeping restrictions on the celebration of the traditional Roman Rite, the pilgrimage had been suspended from its full rites.
The pilgrimage also featured a pre-Vespers talk, organised by the pilgrimage’s 10th “Pax Liturgica” gathering, which took place at the Patristic Institute Augustinianum, located opposite the Holy Office on the edge of St Peter’s Square. The discussion was attended by Cardinal Robert Sarah.
The pilgrimage continues on 25 October with a Rosary at noon at the Basilica of Santi Celso e Giuliano, followed by a procession to St Peter’s and a Pontifical Mass at 3 p.m. in Saint Peter's Basilica, celebrated by Cardinal Burke.
As pilgrims prepare for today’s procession and Pontifical Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, the atmosphere among the faithful remains one of quiet optimism that such moments of unity as displayed between the two prelates at Vespers, however brief, might yet point toward a more harmonious future for Catholic worship.
Photo: Italian cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi attends Mass at St Peter's Basilica following the funeral of the Pope and ahead of the conclave, Vatican, 2 May 2025 (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)
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