One of the Pope’s titles is that of pontifex, or bridge builder. It is an aspect of his office that Pope Francis might reflect on when it comes to his relationship with liturgical conservatives.
Most recently, in his meeting in Bratislava with Slovakian Jesuits, the Pope addressed his decision to restrict celebrations of the extraordinary rite, familiarly known as the Tridentine rite, in a recent motu proprio. He described young priests who seek to celebrate Mass in the old rite as “a phenomenon that indicates that we are going backwards”. Actually, it does nothing of the sort. It may rather suggest priests who set store by a reverent attitude to the Mass, a dignified style of worship. We should cherish these young priests.
