A Shift in Tone: Pope Leo XIV and the Renewed Dialogue on the Traditional Latin Mass

Since his election on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV has not formally altered the restrictions placed on the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) by his predecessor, Pope Francis. Yet, in just a few months, his papacy has sparked a noticeable shift in tone and dialogue across the Catholic hierarchy. Bishops, cardinals, and clergy who once remained silent or cautious have begun to speak openly about their hopes for a more inclusive approach to the ancient liturgy. While Traditionis Custodes remains in effect, the conversation surrounding it is evolving-and many see Pope Leo as the catalyst.

Traditionis Custodes: A Brief Recap

Issued in July 2021, Traditionis Custodes was Pope Francis's apostolic letter that significantly restricted the celebration of the pre-1970 Roman Rite. It reversed the broader permissions granted by Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum in 2007, which had allowed any priest to celebrate the TLM with a stable group of faithful without needing special permission.

Under Traditionis Custodes, bishops were required to seek Vatican approval to permit the TLM in their dioceses. The Mass was generally barred from parish churches, newly ordained priests needed explicit Vatican permission to celebrate it, and traditional communities were prohibited from forming anew. The rationale, according to Pope Francis, was to safeguard Church unity and prevent the TLM from becoming a symbol of resistance to the Second Vatican Council.

A New Papacy, A New Conversation

While Pope Leo XIV has not repealed or amended Traditionis Custodes, his arrival has emboldened voices across the Church. In the first three months of his papacy, several prelates who had previously avoided public commentary on the issue have now spoken out in favor of the TLM.

Among them is Bishop Earl Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio, who in an August 25 interview stated, "There was nothing ideological about my experience of celebrating the TLM... We wanted to offer the Mass to meet the pastoral need of the people. It is a beautiful part of the Church's tradition". His remarks challenge the assumption that the TLM is inherently divisive or politically charged.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, also weighed in, expressing hope that Pope Leo would follow Pope Benedict XVI's lead in broadening access to the TLM. "Pope Francis, in this regard, chose a very restrictive path," Koch said. "It would certainly be desirable to reopen the now-closed door a bit more".

Even Cardinal William Goh of Singapore, who had minimally enforced Traditionis Custodes in his archdiocese, stated publicly on May 22 that he "saw no reason to stop people who prefer the Tridentine Mass," adding that they are "not doing anything wrong or sinful".

💬 Moderate Voices Join the Chorus

What makes this moment particularly striking is the emergence of moderate voices-those not previously aligned with outspoken critics of Pope Francis. Figures like Cardinal Raymond Burke and Cardinal Gerhard Müller have long opposed the restrictions, but their critiques were often dismissed as part of broader ideological resistance. Now, bishops and cardinals with reputations for balance and pastoral sensitivity are joining the conversation.

Bishop Paul Reed, auxiliary bishop of Boston, shared on social media that he "wept" after celebrating the TLM for the first time on July 2. His emotional response underscores the spiritual depth many clergy find in the ancient liturgy, and his willingness to speak publicly reflects a growing comfort under Pope Leo's leadership.

Reading the Signals from Rome

While Pope Leo XIV has not made any formal pronouncements on the TLM, observers note subtle signals. He has demonstrated a strong command of Latin and has celebrated liturgies with traditional elements, including Gregorian chant and ad orientem posture. These gestures, though not policy shifts, suggest a personal appreciation for the Church's liturgical heritage.

Moreover, the Vatican recently granted an exemption to a parish in Texas, allowing continued celebration of the TLM despite the general restrictions. Though not a reversal of Traditionis Custodes, such exemptions may indicate a more flexible and pastoral approach under Pope Leo's watch.

What's Driving the Change?

Several factors may be contributing to this renewed dialogue:

• Pastoral Demand: Many bishops report that communities attached to the TLM are vibrant, faithful, and deeply committed to the Church. Suppressing these communities risks alienating Catholics who are not in rebellion but simply drawn to the reverence and beauty of the older form.

• Generational Shift: Younger clergy and laity are increasingly interested in the TLM, not out of nostalgia but as a spiritual discovery. Their enthusiasm is reshaping perceptions of the liturgy's relevance.

• Papal Personality: Pope Leo's American background and reputation for bridge-building may be encouraging more open discussion. His emphasis on unity through dialogue, rather than uniformity, is creating space for respectful disagreement.

What Comes Next?

The future of the TLM under Pope Leo XIV remains uncertain. He may choose to revise Traditionis Custodes, issue new guidelines, or simply allow bishops greater discretion. Regardless of the path, the tone has already shifted-from restriction to reflection.

For many Catholics, this change is not just about liturgy but about the Church's ability to honor its past while embracing its future. The TLM, once seen as a flashpoint, is now being reconsidered as a legitimate expression of faith for those who find spiritual nourishment in its rhythms.

As one Vatican observer put it, "Pope Leo hasn't opened the door yet-but he's standing near it, listening."