Vatican Dispatch

Reporting from Rome — the Pope, the curia, and what's actually happening behind the colonnade.

A defining week for Pope Leo and the SSPX

As the Holy See responded to the SSPX’s latest episcopal consecrations and Pope Leo presided over a subdued consistory, a wider picture of his early pontificate began to emerge

The Holy See sets out process of “reconciliation” for SSPX clergy and laity

Priests seeking reconciliation must accept Vatican II and the legitimacy of the Novus Ordo while being allowed attachment to the ancient rite

Holy See declares SSPX bishops excommunicated after illicit consecrations

A decree issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declares the Society of Saint Pius X bishops excommunicated and warns clergy and faithful of the canonical consequences of adhering to the Society

EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Fernández says SSPX dialogue ‘still possible’ but needs time

The Vatican’s lead interlocutor with the Society of Saint Pius X has expressed confidence that talks can resume, even as Rome considers its response to the Society’s latest episcopal consecrations

SSPX defies Pope Leo with four new bishops

The Society of Saint Pius X has consecrated four new bishops at Écône despite a personal appeal from Pope Leo XIV and warnings from the Holy See that the ceremony would incur automatic excommunication

Leo names religious sister to lead Vatican dicastery

Sister Alessandra Smerilli becomes the second Religious woman to lead a Vatican dicastery as prefect, with a cardinal serving as pro-prefect under the current canonical arrangement

Unity, synodality and control: what the June consistory revealed

The June consistory demonstrated Pope Leo’s commitment to the College of Cardinals while also revealing a governing style that values consultation without relinquishing control

Leo urges unity, obedience opening a consistory stripped of key issues

With discussion of the liturgy and Just War Doctrine absent from the agenda, Leo XIV used the opening of the Extraordinary Consistory to reaffirm his commitment to synodality and ecclesial communion

Rome rejects German bishops’ proposal for lay preaching at Mass

The Vatican has formally rejected a proposal from Germany’s bishops that would have allowed lay people to deliver homilies during Mass, reaffirming existing liturgical law

Controlled consistory looms as Leo’s quip highlights Vatican’s disparity

A papal appeal for ecclesial unity, fresh details of the consistory and confirmation of a Peruvian journey have dominated the Vatican week

Pope Leo breaks silence on SSPX consecrations

Pope Leo XIV has publicly addressed the SSPX consecrations for the first time, identifying the Society’s rejection of elements of Vatican II as the principal obstacle to reconciliation

Leo XIV’s Spanish voyage exceeds expectations

From vast Corpus Christi crowds in Madrid to meetings with migrants in the Canary Islands, Leo XIV used his visit to Spain to articulate a vision of faith, society and human dignity

Bishop Schneider: SSPX dispute centres on truth, not liturgy

The cleric argues that the Society of St Pius X’s concerns focus on unresolved doctrinal questions surrounding Vatican II rather than solely on the traditional Mass

Leo heads to Spain as Vatican communications enters a new era

As Pope Leo XIV begins a week-long visit to Spain, debate continues over pastoral priorities, while a significant appointment signals a new direction for Vatican communications

EWTN’s president Alvarado appointed to head Vatican communications

Pope Leo XIV has appointed EWTN president Maria Montserrat Alvarado as prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, marking a significant shift in the Vatican’s public-facing leadership

The Copts, the SSPX, and what everyone missed about Leo this week

While attention has focused on Leo XIV’s first encyclical, a series of significant developments have offered further clues about the direction of his pontificate

The real message of Magnifica Humanitas

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical is framed by artificial intelligence, but its deeper concern is the spiritual condition of modern society

Pope Leo turns to AI while synodality returns to centre stage

As anticipation builds around Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical on artificial intelligence, the Vatican also presses ahead with a renewed synodal process and prepares for the Pontiff’s first visit to France

Cardinal Eijk condemns Synod study group report on homosexuality

The Dutch cardinal argued that ambiguity in the synod study group’s treatment of homosexuality weakens the Church’s proclamation of moral truth

SSPX tensions, synod fallout and Leo XIV’s delicate balancing act

Rome has warned the SSPX that proceeding with planned episcopal consecrations would constitute a schismatic act, while simultaneously reaffirming its commitment to dialogue with the Coptic Orthodox Church

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