Vatican prevents Latin Mass pilgrims from entering St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican authorities prevented participants of the annual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage, also known as Ad Petri Sedem, from entering St. Peter’s Basilica to pray at the tomb of St. Peter. The procession was reportedly stopped at the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square.

Following the restriction, the planned Pontifical Mass at the high altar of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major was altered. Instead of the full traditional liturgy, a Prelatial Low Mass lasting no more than one hour was held, presided over by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

The restrictions align with the current regulations of the motu proprio ‘Traditionis Custodes’, issued by Pope Francis in 2021, which governs the use of the Roman liturgy prior to the 1970 reform.