Leaders of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), a pontifical society of apostolic life whose charism centers on the faithful celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (also referred to as Traditional Latin Mass), had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican Jan. 19. 

The fraternity said the half-hour meeting included a discussion of the society’s history and mission. 

“This audience also provided an opportunity to evoke any misunderstandings and obstacles that the Fraternity encounters in certain places and to answer questions from the Supreme Pontiff,” an official Jan. 20 FSSP communiqué states. No specific issues were identified.

In the meeting, the Pope received the fraternity’s superior general, Father John Berg, who was accompanied by Father Josef Bisig, a co-founder of the society and former superior general who now serves as rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska.

The meeting offered an opportunity, the fraternity said, to present Pope Leo with a fuller account of its foundation and history and what the apostolate offers to the faithful. 

The communiqué said the priests also discussed the fraternity’s internal law and charism, which guide the spiritual formation of its members.

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At the conclusion of the meeting, Pope Leo imparted his blessing, extending it to all members of the fraternity, according to the communiqué.

The FSSP concluded the statement by encouraging the faithful to continue praying during a 30-day novena leading up to Feb. 11, when it plans to renew its consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.