Vatican Dispatch

Papal holiday won’t put the lid on bubbling tensions

Pope Leo’s summer recess at Castel Gandolfo has brought calm to the Vatican, but the SSPX’s appeal and renewed debate over ‘Traditionis Custodes’ threaten to disturb the lull

Cardinal Sarah: Pachamama was proof that ‘paganism has entered the Church’

The former Curial cardinal outlined two incidents of Pope Francis’ papacy which caused him particular concern, which he argued were evidence of the ingress of paganism

Traditionis Custodes: ‘Superfluous’, devastating and self-defeating

The fifth anniversary of ‘Traditionis Custodes’ has revived debate over its consequences, as critics argue that the motu proprio has deepened division while strengthening interest in the traditional Roman rite

SSPX makes canonical appeal against excommunication

The Society of Saint Pius X filed a formal appeal against the Holy See’s excommunication Decree, citing Canon Law in doing so, as the group seeks to overturn the penalties

Cordileone: SSPX consecrations show need for wider access to Latin Mass

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has responded to the Society of Saint Pius X’s episcopal consecrations by urging renewed dialogue and arguing that wider access to the traditional Mass could help address long-standing tensions

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

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