A week prior to the Popes visit, the Archbishop of Paris had this to say in an interview with Le Figaro :
September 14 will mark one year since a motu proprio given by the Pope to regularize the use of the old Mass Missal in Latin came into force. Will the Pope address this matter which has had a mixed reception in France?
"The Popes intention in giving this motu proprio was to work towards the unity of the Church. He does not wish for a historical situation of division to fossilize. Its practical implementation is not easy but in the past year the climate has improved in several situations even though it has worsened in others. All of this will take time: thirty years of history cannot be sorted out in twelve months. I do not know if the Pope will speak about it, I only know that the most significant gesture on the subject will be to concelebrate with the bishops of France, in communion in one same liturgy."
September 14 will mark one year since a motu proprio given by the Pope to regularize the use of the old Mass Missal in Latin came into force. Will the Pope address this matter which has had a mixed reception in France?
"The Popes intention in giving this motu proprio was to work towards the unity of the Church. He does not wish for a historical situation of division to fossilize. Its practical implementation is not easy but in the past year the climate has improved in several situations even though it has worsened in others. All of this will take time: thirty years of history cannot be sorted out in twelve months. I do not know if the Pope will speak about it, I only know that the most significant gesture on the subject will be to concelebrate with the bishops of France, in communion in one same liturgy."
