Senior Vatican correspondent @NCRegister; co-founder of https://xitter.cf/t.co/jVE1pdckxy; founder of https://xitter.cf/t.co/ZP038lcfOY
Rome / UK
Joined October 2008
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God’s Mighty Little Missionary — The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Mother Maria Stieren
Now available to pre-order from @SophiaPress:
sophiainstitute.com/product/…
“I wholeheartedly recommend this compelling, beautifully written, and profoundly Catholic biography.”
—Obianuju Ekeocha, President and Founder, Culture of Life Africa
All author royalties go to the Congregation Mother Maria founded.
Edward Pentin retweeted
Bishop Schneider today at St Mary Major's ––
“Due to some liturgical restrictions and even pastoral discriminations, these (Latin Mass devotee) Catholics feel like 2nd class Catholics”
The pilgrimage organisers first sought permission for a Pontifical Mass at the Altar of the Chair (and a papal audience) of St Peter’s Basilica in December 2025 via Bishop Schneider, with further approaches reported in April and June. The Secretariat of State formally denied the Mass in a letter of 7 August.
The Lectio Francisci event and subsequent Mass at the same altar on 24 October were announced publicly only around 23–25 September (after the denial) and run at 15:30 and 18:00, so they would not have overlapped with the hours a typical Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage pontifical Mass would have occupied.
The Franciscan event in the basilica therefore appeared after the rejection rather than as a pre-existing booking conflict that forced the decision.
Let me know if any of this is incorrect…
But first, I mostly go to FSSP in the US and ICKSP in Rome. I’ve also spent the last two decades organizing pilgrimages and know all the ins and outs of planning group pilgrimages.
Ok, so the Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage NEVER had permission for Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica this year?(Yet they still advertise it on their site.)
Their requested date interfered with an already scheduled Mass and lecture on the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. So they were given the choice between another day or having the Mass at Saint Mary Major. But only yesterday, or maybe today, they told those on the pilgrimage the church had changed?
Part of this pilgrimage has always been to visit the tomb of Saint Peter. So when they asked for permission to have the pilgrimage visit the tomb of Saint Peter, they were still told they could not AT THE REQUESTED TIME because of the planned event. This is also still on their website, although they knew months ago? Back in August?
And now everyone who likes clicks and controversy is saying the Vatican BANNED them, but really they asked for a date that wasn’t available and wouldn’t agree to change their date, which I completely understand is not easy to do.
Last year’s Mass with Cardinal Burke was glorious, but if the basilica is already booked, the basilica is already booked. Right?
I also think we should have a high TLM weekly in Saint Peter’s Basilica. ✌️
.@messainlatino notes that the pilgrims are “faithful from various dioceses from many parts of the world,” barred from the same basilica where Anglican archbishop Sarah Mullally and a Muslim recently prayed, where in 2019 “idolaters of Pachamama entered triumphantly,” and where last year a pilgrimage of LGBT activists was welcomed during the Jubilee, and allowed to parade rainbow flags. It adds that today’s pilgrims “are in no way whatsoever part of the Society of St. Pius X, nor are they affiliated with or sympathizers of the Society.”
Traditional Catholic pilgrims of the Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage have been blocked this morning from entering St Peter’s Basilica to pray at the tomb of St Peter. The Vatican stopped the procession at the obelisk in St Peter’s Square, the border of Italian jurisdiction, according to @messainlatino.
The Vatican has also prohibited a Pontifical Mass to be celebrated this afternoon in the Basilica of St Mary Major. Instead it will be a Prelatial Low Mass and can last no more than one hour @messainlatino. Bishop Athanasius Schneider will be the celebrant.
Traditional Catholic pilgrims of the Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage have been blocked this morning from entering St Peter’s Basilica to pray at the tomb of St Peter. The Vatican stopped the procession at the obelisk in St Peter’s Square, the border of Italian jurisdiction, according to @messainlatino.
The Vatican has also prohibited a Pontifical Mass to be celebrated this afternoon in the Basilica of St Mary Major. Instead it will be a Prelatial Low Mass and can last no more than one hour @messainlatino. Bishop Athanasius Schneider will be the celebrant.
Edward Pentin retweeted
Christian Marquant, President of CISP (a group of Catholic lay associations that organizes the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage), announced that the Pilgrimage has been prohibited from entering St. Peter’s Basilica tomorrow.
The announcement was made today during the Pax Liturgica gathering, near the Vatican, at the Augustinian Patristic Institute, of which Pope Leo was General Moderator from 2001 to 2013, when he was Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.
The Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage (Ad Petri Sedem) has existed since 2012 and brings together thousands of faithful from many different countries. The high point of the ceremonies has always been the Pontifical Mass at the Altar of the Chair, in St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated on Saturday.
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, that Mass was prohibited, for reasons that are not entirely clear, though it is presumed to have been because of the disastrous document ‘Traditionis Custodes’. Nevertheless, the pilgrims were always able to pray in the Basilica: there was adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the solemn chanting of the Hour of Sext, and the tomb of the Apostle Peter - the rock upon which the Church of Christ was built - was always venerated.
Thanks be to God, in 2025 the Mass returned to the Basilica. Cardinal Raymond Burke celebrated the Pontifical Mass. Unexpectedly, in 2026, the Mass was once again denied, without any known reason being given.
Moreover, in addition to this impediment, a few days ago the Secretariat of State informed the organizers that the Pilgrimage would not be allowed to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. The reason is unknown.
It is worth recalling that, a year ago, on the occasion of the Jubilee, entry into St. Peter’s Basilica was authorized for an “LGBT pilgrimage,” which carried with it the symbols proper to that ideology, including a “rainbow cross.”
Thus goes Rome…
Christian Marquant, president of the traditional Catholic Paix Liturgique Association, has revealed that he has asked at least 10 times for a meeting with Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship.
"When staff in Roche’s dicastery asked why he wanted a meeting, Marquant replied that he wished to greet him, since he had regularly visited his predecessor to receive instructions, and even simply to have a coffee together.
Nothing. Not even an honest exchange." —
@messainlatino
Link below 👇
Edward Pentin retweeted
JUST IN: Vatican Bars Annual TLM Pilgrimage from Entering St. Peter’s Basilica — dianemontagna.substack.com/p…
According to organizers of the annual ‘Summorum Pontificum’ pilgrimage , the decision was communicated in a recent letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State
More here: dianemontagna.substack.com/p…
JUST IN: Pope Leo XIV will not be attending the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi on October 27 on the advice of doctors.
Statements from @HolySeePress:
“Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora issue the following statement regarding the Pope’s postoperative recovery:
We wish to inform you that, as scheduled, the Holy Father underwent a follow-up chest X-ray. The examination confirmed that his postoperative recovery is proceeding very well.
However, given the short time that has elapsed since the surgery, the attending physicians have deemed it appropriate, as a precautionary measure, to advise against the planned helicopter trip on October 27.”
The Vatican added:
“To facilitate his recovery following the thoracic surgery he underwent last Tuesday, and in accordance with his doctors’ advice, Pope Leo XIV will be unable to attend the event in Assisi on October 27, as planned, for the gathering titled “Unarmed and Disarming Peace,” marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, convened by St. John Paul II.
Pope Leo will send a message of solidarity to the organizers, leaders, and representatives of Christian denominations and other religions, as well as to the guests who will be in attendance, in the belief that the ‘spirit of Assisi,’ dialogue, and the search for words and gestures of peace are precious resources in an era of conflict.”
Pope Leo Names New Theologians to Vatican Advisory Body | National Catholic Register
The new members of the International Theological Commission includes six women and scholars from across five continents, several of whom have publicly dissented from settled Church teaching.
ncregister.com/news/pope-leo… @NCRegister
Edward Pentin retweeted
Pope Leo expressed his gratitude to the faithful and to God as he returned to the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, just eight days after undergoing lung surgery.
Addressing the pilgrims gathered at the Vatican, the Holy Father thanked everyone who had accompanied him with their prayers during his hospitalization.
He also invited the faithful to renew their trust in God, saying: “Let us all renew our trust in the goodness and mercy of God.”
Let us continue to pray for Pope Leo as he recovers and resumes his ministry.
Edward Pentin retweeted
JUST IN: Pope Leo XIV’s Doctors say “no further treatment is necessary.”
@HolySeePress has just announced that Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora have issued the following statement regarding the Pope’s postoperative recovery:
“Today, the final histopathological findings and molecular biology analyses of the tissue removed during the surgical procedure performed on the Holy Father were reported. The results confirmed that the disease was a pulmonary adenocarcinoma and that it was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment confirmed that no further treatment is necessary.”
My book on the extraordinary and inspiring life of Mother Maria Stieren — a saintly Bavarian Benedictine missionary who against the odds founded her own flourishing traditional Congregation in one of the poorest regions of Tanzania — is published today by @SophiaPress:
God’s Mighty Little Missionary — The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Mother Maria Stieren
Now available to pre-order from @SophiaPress:
sophiainstitute.com/product/…
“I wholeheartedly recommend this compelling, beautifully written, and profoundly Catholic biography.”
—Obianuju Ekeocha, President and Founder, Culture of Life Africa
All author royalties go to the Congregation Mother Maria founded.
Exorcist Father Ripperger Agrees to One-Year ‘Fast’ From Public Speaking | National Catholic Register
The prominent priest agreed to Denver Archbishop James Golka’s request, which the archdiocese says will allow him to focus on his religious community and the people it serves.
ncregister.com/news/golka-ri…
From @HolySeePress:
"Today, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with His Excellency Mr Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.
In the course of the conversation, the Holy Father recalled the grave situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and made reference to the request for a humanitarian ceasefire that he had presented to the President of the Russian Federation.
His Holiness expressed the hope that cooperation between both parties will allow for the delivery of food and medical aid, and for the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.
Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the commitment of the Holy See to promoting dialogue and peace."
The call follows a telephone call between Pope Leo XIV and President Putin last week: xitter.cf/EdwardPentin/status/21…
Just in from @HolySeePress: “Today, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with His Excellency Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation. During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population. Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and
peace.”
Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town across the Dnipro from Kherson, faces a humanitarian crisis after months of disrupted food and medicine supplies. Mined roads, drone attacks and restrictions on movement have left residents trapped, many without reliable water, electricity or medical care. Recent escapees describe severe hunger and untreated illness. Ukrainian drone deliveries are providing some aid, but safe evacuation remains extremely difficult as winter approaches.
Pope Leo XIV and Vladimir Putin last spoke by telephone on 4 June 2025, less than a month after Leo’s election, during which Leo urged Russia to make a gesture towards peace in Ukraine; they also discussed humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges.
I spoke with Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex and wished His Holiness a full and speedy recovery following his surgery. We are grateful that even during this difficult time for him personally, His Holiness remembers Ukraine and prays for our people.
I briefed him in detail on the situation with Russian escalation and Russia’s constant strikes on Ukrainian cities and communities. We also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in temporarily occupied Oleshky. We are working to help our people there. We are preparing decisions. His Holiness informed me about contacts with the Russian side on this matter.
Of course, we also discussed all the current security challenges and threats, including the periodic lack of warnings from our partners about Russian ballistic missile attacks – something that has happened three times recently. I thank His Holiness for his support and all his efforts to achieve a dignified peace.
