Pope Leo XIV this week asked the bishops of France to be inclusive of Catholics devoted to the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), according to reports.
The Pontiff conveyed this wish in a March 18 letter written by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and delivered to the bishops meeting this week for their Spring Plenary Assembly. According to Catholic journalist Diane Montagna, the bishops will discuss “Liturgy and Tradition” on March 26, according to the Assembly schedule.
In the letter, published in full by Stella Maris Media, Cardinal Parolin noted that the bishops will be addressing “the delicate topic of the liturgy, to which the Holy Father is particularly attentive, in the context of the growth of communities linked to the Vetus Ordo.”
The Vetus Ordo, meaning the “Old Order” of the Mass, refers to the Latin Mass.
“It is a cause for concern that a painful wound continues to open within the Church regarding the celebration of the Mass, the very sacrament of unity,” Cardinal Parolin wrote. “To heal it, a new way of looking at one another — with greater understanding of each other’s sensibilities — is certainly necessary; a perspective that allows brothers, rich in their diversity, to welcome one another in charity and the unity of faith.”
“May the Holy Spirit inspire you with concrete solutions that allow for the generous inclusion of those sincerely attached to the Vetus Ordo,” he added, “in accordance with the guidelines established by the Second Vatican Council regarding the Liturgy.”
The letter also briefly addressed other topics the bishops will cover in the assembly, including an apostolic letter on education and efforts to protect minors from abuse. Cardinal Parolin noted at the beginning of the letter that Pope Leo “has taken note of the topics you intend to address, and several have aroused his interest.”
The topic of the Latin Mass was the final one addressed in the letter, before Cardinal Parolin concluded by assuring the bishops of the Holy Father’s prayers.
“He prays for all Catholics in France, and for its clergy, that they may persevere in the faith and in the courageous proclamation of the Gospel,” Cardinal Parolin wrote, “in times that are certainly difficult but in which there is no lack of signs of hope and of God’s presence in hearts.”
Montagna reported that the president of the French Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Marc Aveline, mentioned the Pope’s letter in his opening remarks at the assembly, which is being held from March 24 to 27. Montagna reported that the cardinal “emphasized the need to respond to the spiritual needs of all the baptized while remaining faithful to the Church’s Tradition and councils, including Vatican II.”
According to Montagna, Cardinal Aveline also signaled that the topic of the liturgy will be on the agenda for the upcoming Consistory of Cardinals in June in Rome.