Pope Francis’ Latin Mass Restrictions: What’s Behind the Controversy?

Pope Francis has stirred up big waves in the Catholic world with his decision to clamp down on the Traditional Latin Mass—a move that’s become one of his most debated legacy items. The Latin Mass, formalized in 1570, is all about centuries-old rituals, spoken entirely in Latin with the priest facing east, not the congregation. Sounds like a throwback, right?

Francis said he acted out of concern that this ancient liturgy was fueling division within the Church. In his words, he saw the Latin Mass being wielded as an ideological tool, pushing back against the modern reforms of Vatican II (that’s the mass most Catholics attend today, introduced in 1969). The pope even called this nostalgia for the past indietrismo—a "nostalgic disease" that he believes runs counter to the Church’s mission in the modern era.

To limit the spread of this so-called spiritual time travel, Francis spent years issuing new rules. In 2021, he dropped a "motu proprio"—a special decree—forcing priests to get their bishop’s permission to celebrate the Latin Mass. By 2023, he doubled down: not only did priests need local approval, but bishops themselves had to check in with Vatican HQ before granting permission. Newly ordained priests? They’re out of luck entirely when it comes to saying the old Mass.

Francis’ approach stands in sharp contrast to the previous pope, Benedict XVI, who had opened the door wide for all priests to celebrate the Latin Mass if they wished. Francis, on the other hand, argued that Benedict’s policy had actually been twisted to drive the Church backwards.

Still, not everyone was roped in by these restrictions. Certain priestly groups, like the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), were specifically exempted. After a 2024 meeting with Francis, the head of FSSP confirmed that their special devotion to the Latin Mass was protected. In other words, while the general Church faces tighter rules, these niche groups get a pass—proof that even in the Vatican, there’s always an exception to the rule.

For a Church that’s been wrestling with tradition and change for centuries, this latest chapter shows that the battle between past and present is far from over. Will Francis’ crackdown unify the Church, or will it just spark more debate? The incense may settle, but the arguments are sure to linger.