Preparing for the Pontificate’s First Encyclical: Catholic Social Teachings before Vatican II

 

Catholic Social Teachings before Vatican II

by Serre Verweij

Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical is due to be released and almost certain to become a valuable addition to the collection of papal encyclicals dealing with social issues. This was to be expected, as he took the name Leo XIV as a reference to Pope Leo XIII, who became famous as the Pope who established Catholic Social Teaching (CST) through his encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891. Pope Leo's teachings, and the tradition based on it, have unfortunately been frequently misunderstood or misrepresented, especially since the Second Vatican Council.

SSPX Superior publishes "Declaration of Catholic Faith", addressed to Pope Leo XIV

[Cf. Vatican statement, May 13, 2026]

Declaration of Catholic Faith addressed to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV by Fr. Davide Pagliarani Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X

May 14, 2026

Most Holy Father,

For more than fifty years, the Society of Saint Pius X has endeavoured to set before the Holy See a matter of conscience in the face of the errors that are destroying Catholic faith and morals. Regrettably, all the discussions entered into have remained without result, and none of the concerns expressed have received any truly satisfactory response. 

Homily for the Ascension of the Lord, Pope Saint Leo the Great

“You shall receive  the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

A RORATE CÆLI EDITORIAL -- Traditionis Custodes IS the State of Emergency: While it Exists, the Ecclesial Situation of Traditional Catholics Remains Precarious

There were many reasons for Summorum Pontificum, the motu proprio document by Benedict XVI that gave back full rights of citizenship to the Traditional Liturgies of the Latin Church in our age.

Justice, for one. The then-Cardinal Ratzinger had written extensively on the mistakes of the Pauline liturgical reform. But also, and very importantly, the situation of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX).

The SSPX had long defended the full freedom of the Traditional Mass as one of its conditions for a final settlement with the Apostolic See. Then, Benedict XVI accomplished the other condition: the lifting of the excommunications of the four SSPX bishops consecrated by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre in 1988; and the German response to the lifting of one of them (that of Bp. Richard Williamson) created one of the gravest storms of the Ratzinger Pontificate. The reaction gave rise to one of the most traumatic writings ever composed by a Pontiff in the modern age:

New Vatican Declaration on SSPX Consecrations

 

Statement of His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith 

May 13, 2026 

Prayers for Bishop Robert Mutsaerts

The bravely orthodox auxiliary of Den Bosch, Netherlands, Bp. Robert Mutsaerts, was injured in a car accident on Saturday evening.

The Scandal of "Safe Environment Training": Diocesan Bureaucracy as a Violation of Childhood Innocence

The following letter was sent by a father to his local diocese. He has offered it for publication and I am only too happy to publish it, because I agree with every word. Having been forced to sit through such trainings myself, I have first-hand experience of what he is speaking about. —PAK

To Our Catholic Leadership and Fellow Catholics, Especially Parents:

Leo XIV - The First Anniversary: Pope's Brother Says Leo XIV and the President Have Much in Common - Full Interview

The Roman Pontiff's oldest brother granted a special interview to Spanish daily ABC speaking about his brother and also his thoughts on the President of the United States.

HOW CAN WE VIEW THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PONTIFICATE OF LEO XIV?

 One Year of Pope Leo XIV

by Serre Verweij

for Rorate Caeli

It has been a year since our new Pope appeared on the balcony, after the election of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV was announced. Initially, he was largely unknown to most of the world. Not a progressive star like Tagle, nor the candidate many had pegged as the counterrevolutionary choice, Cardinal Peter Erdő. Many did not know what to expect, though two mainstream narratives soon emerged: that Pope Leo XIV represents a return to normalcy, and that he is a moderate. The idea was that Leo is more institutionalist and more reserved than Francis, but that he will preserve — even if he will not double down on — at least some of Francis's key reforms, especially the much-touted concept of synodality.

One Year of Leo XIV: Back to the Substance of Faith - a German Perspective

 One Year of Leo XIV: Back to the Substance of Faith

By Richard Meusers von Wissmannfor Die WeltMay 7, 2026

Pope Leo XIV has now been in office for one year. He is less interested in the socio-political hot-button issues of the West. Instead, his focus is on the unity of the Church and the proclamation of the Gospel.

For the Record - Dom Jeremias Schröder, Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation: "The Traditional Latin Mass Can No Longer Be Pushed Out Entirely."

This major interview was published in German by the official news website of the German Bishops, Katholisch.de, last week. It has essential content for Traditional Catholics, and we post the translation here for the record of current events.

 

Abbot Primate: The Old Mass Can No Longer Be Pushed Out Entirely 

"I am very curious to see how Pope Leo will approach the problem" 

Ludwig Ring-Eifel, for KNA

April 30, 2026

Amid the dying of monasteries and the challenges of digital transformation, Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder sees opportunities for religious life. In this interview, he also speaks about the liturgy dispute and the Benedictine perspective on it.

On Excommunication and the SSPX: A Canonical, Theological, and Pastoral Defense Against the Proposed Excommunication of the Society of Saint Pius X

By the Canon of Shaftesbury

Introduction

In July 2026, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) is expected to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a pontifical mandate; an act that Rome has signalled may result in automatic excommunication under canon law. The argument here is that, if imposed, would be not be canonically sensible, theologically coherent, nor pastorally sound. Drawing upon the Church’s own legal tradition, historical precedents, and the pastoral imperatives consistently invoked by the current and previous pontificates, one can contend that the proposed excommunication is arbitrary, inconsistent, and counterproductive to the unity and mission of the Catholic Church.

LEO XIV - One Year, by Roberto de Mattei

 Leo XIV: One Year of Pontificate 

by Roberto de Mattei

May 6, 2026

One year ago, on Monday, May 8, 2025, the pontificate of Leo XIV began — Robert Francis Prevost, the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, the first American Pope, and the first member of the Order of Saint Augustine.

Abandoned Shepherds: Fear, Fatherhood, and the Crisis of Episcopal Support in the Contemporary Catholic Priesthood

by the Canon of Shaftesbury

 

Introduction

On the traditional feast of Saint Pius V: “Quo Primum”

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION

Important - Vatican told German Bishops to Stop Blessings of Same-Sex “Couples” and Irregular Couples - Full Translation of Letter from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

 The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith sent the following letter to the then-President of the German Conference of Bishops, Bishop Bätzing,* making clear the Vatican's position on the German proposal on blessings for same-sex "couples."

The letter, from November 2024, was made public today. It makes Cardinal Marx's move last month even more egregious. Our translation of the Italian original is below:

***

DICASTERIUM PRO DOCTRINA FIDEI

00120 Città del Vaticano Palazzo del S. Uffizio

 

November 18, 2024

Prot. N. 731/2023 – 102543

Your Excellency,

New Winds: Apostolic Nuncio to Poland Confers Traditional Rite Confirmation

 Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the Traditional Latin Rite this past Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, in Warsaw.

FSSP Diaconal Ordinations

 

20 Deacons were ordained for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) this spring -- 8 in Nebraska, and 12 yesterday in Bavaria.

Event in July: Poland (Liturgical Workshops)

The 13th Edition of the "Ars Celebrandi" traditional liturgy workshops will take place in Licheń, on July 2-9, 2026.

Event in July: Choral Symposium in Ontario

The Fifth Annual Catholic Choral Symposium will take place this July 2 - 5 at St. Peter's Church, New Hamburg, ON. 

Get Ready: Traditional October Pilgrimage to Rome again this year, with Mass in Saint Peter’s

 The Mass inside Saint Peter’s Basilica is assured this year once again.

Schedule of the Pilgrimage Ad Petri Sedem which will take place in Rome from October 23 to 25, 2026 (registration is not necessary to participate in the pilgrimage) Friday October 23, 2026

Why, oh why, is 77-year-old Arch-Modernist Cupich still in charge in Chicago?

Cardinal DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, was born in 1949. He retired and was replaced by his coadjutor, named by Francis, in 2025.

Cardinal Dolan, of New York, was born in 1950. He was replaced by Leo XIV very shortly after turning 75, in 2025.

There is one American Cardinal who is older than both of them, and who is still in charge. And not just any cardinal: a horrible administrator, a lousy shepherd, and an ideological nightmare, who, though a native of Nebraska, has been the Archbishop of the pope's own birthplace: Chicago. A formerly exemplary American Catholic town, whose diocese is falling apart.

One would think this useless bishop of nefarious influence would have been retired immediately. But Francis knew his presence irked his imagined "enemies" in America, so he kept him. With Leo XIV, it's different. He knows he's lousy. He is aware. Why has he kept him?... Our contributor Serre Verweij tries to understand it.

***

Why Is Cupich Still in Office?

by Serre Verweij

for Rorate Caeli

United States Department of Justice releases extensive Report on How the Democratic Administration Persecuted Christians, including Traditional Catholics

 The report was released yesterday; it is a massive nearly 600-page document on just how targeted all believing Christians were by the Biden Administration, and Traditional Catholics are at the center of it:

Schism Incoming - Bishop of Antwerp, Belgium, Officially Declares Intention to Ordain Married Priests

Pope Leo XIV has a Church agitated by strong centrifugal forces throughout the world.

In Flanders, Bishop Johann Bonny included these words on the implementation of the synodal process (published exactly one month ago) in the diocese of Antwerp wherein he explicitly states that he intends to ordain married men:

It Looks Ridiculous: Popes Have to Stop Receiving Protestant “Bishops” and “Bishopesses” as Equals

 

One of the hallmarks of the post-Vatican II “Conciliar Period” has been the obsession of popes in welcoming the leaders of Anglican churches as equals. The situation has always been untenable — since they are not bishops at all — but it has recently reached the level of ridiculous, following the election of Mrs. Sarah Mullally, a (by all appearances) lovely lady from Surrey, as “archbishop” of the defunct See of Canterbury.

EXCLUSIVE - Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) 2026 Consecrations: Rome Said to Be Opting for a Break (Excommunications)

From Rorate's Roman sources:

Pope Leo XIV is reported by our Roman sources to have decided to follow the "1988 jurisprudence" with regard to the episcopal consecrations that are to be conferred within the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) on July 1, 2026. 

Traditional Mass back to Saint Mary Major

 

During many years, one of the main regular celebrations of the Traditional Mass in Rome took place at the Papal Major Basilica of Saint Mary Major. This was mostly discontinued during the Franciscan years.

They Should Have Done it Under Francis - Plus, full interview with SSPX Superior-General

 

So... we are often asked what we think of the Consecrations of New Bishops planned by the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) for July 1st, in Écône, Switzerland.

Well, we do not know what to make of it, and our opinion matters very little. But we do have one opinion about timing. And it is this: that it is quite astonishing that they did not do this under Francis, and gave a completely new pope, Leo XIV, barely a year to know what to make of it.

SSPX Consecrations under Francis would have had two effects.

Marx Orders Blessings for Same-Sex "Unions" in Munich -- Pope Says No

 

Point - Marx of Munich:

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who has served as archbishop of Munich and Freising in Germany since 2008, has instructed the priests and full-time pastoral staff in the archdiocese to introduce the controversial handout "Blessing Gives Strength to Love" as the basis of pastoral care.

Anglican Ordinariate priests ordered to concelebrate Mass instead of taking other ministerial roles [UPDATED]

An Anglican Ordinariate Mass involving deacon and subdeacon

This article has been updated in light of further information. -PAK

I learned from an inside source that Bishop Steven Lopes has told his clergy that Cardinal Roche ordered that priests must cease to function as deacons or subdeacons (and deacons as subdeacons) during solemn Mass but rather, if there is more than one priest, they must all concelebrate, and deacons may only function as deacons.

BREAKING: SSPX Announcement of Names of New Bishops Confirmed for June

Don Davide Pagliarani, (Source: The Fatima Center)

Time for Reparations - Crucifix destroyed in Lebanon

The devastating image of a desecrated Crucifix was first published on Twitter/X earlier today by a journalist who received it from Southern Lebanon:

Lebanon |

An Israeli soldier smashing the head of a Jesus Christ statue during operations in southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/Sj1m16tj9q

— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) April 19, 2026

In an age of many fake images created with the help of Artificial Intelligence agents, it was expected that many would doubt that such an absurd act could have taken place. But the Israeli army itself confirmed it:

Is it working? Update on the Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Leo and the TLM

The following is a mid-campaign update from the organizers of Missae pro Missa.

Leo XIV and the SSPX: A Catch-22 Situation -- What Are the Options?

by Serre Verweij

The possibility of a new rupture with the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) hangs over Rome in the early days of the Leonine pontificate. The SSPX has argued it’s necessary for them to ordain new bishops. A request for permission for the consecrations was predictably denied. Attempts were made at establishing a dialogue with the SSPX, specifically over contentious interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, but these soon stranded, largely over the same traditional fault lines.

Three New Publications — The Best Liturgical Catechism, the Best Book on Dressing, and the Best Book on Religious Vocation

Worshiping; dressing; discerning religious life. What do these three topics have in common?

All of them concern our vocation to give glory to God and bring benefit to our neighbors with the powers of our minds and our bodies—whether in the radical form of a total gift of self in the religious life of evangelical poverty, chastity, and obedience, or in the social form of dressing modestly and beautifully, or in the highest act of the highest moral virtue, religion: executing divine worship with all due reverence, honor, and splendor, taking seriously man's sensible condition and the rich tradition that sustains him.

Only the Laity Are Able to Present the Traditional World to Pope Leo

Only the Laity Are Able to Present the Traditional World to Pope Leo; and What We Ask Is the Traditional Liturgy in Every Parish

The following two letters (no. 1307 and no. 1354) from Paix Liturgique were published on November 20, 2025 and April 9, 2026. It is well worth giving them wider diffusion, especially in light of the outrageous proposal of the abbot of Solesmes. —PAK

Book Review: “Painting Salvation” by Fr Armand de Malleray

Review by Angeline Tan

For years, I thought that art critique and appreciation necessitated a certain level of erudition, historical knowledge, as well as the so-called “keen eye for art”, which I did not possess. Thus, whenever I strolled past stunning paintings, such as those from French painter Nicolas Poussin, or his Spanish counterpart Diego Velázquez, I was pretty certain that my amateurish responses to these masterpieces were mere babblings, if anything at all.

Yet after reading Fr Armand de Malleray (FSSP)’s recent book, Painting Salvation, while en route to Rome, the Eternal City, a vibrant canvas where jaw-dropping pieces of Catholic art inspire and elevate souls to God, I was glad to be proven wrong in my views regarding art evaluation. 

The Kingship of Christ and the Aporias of the Roman Church — Guest Article by Vigilius

[Editor: The following texts reflects the personal opinion of the authors.]

Prefatory note: Ever since the SSPX announced the forthcoming illicit consecrations of bishops, many aspects have been discussed. One aspect, however, which lies at the core of the SSPX’s argumentation—namely, their concept of the origin of episcopal power of governance and its theological consequences—has not yet received the attention it deserves. The subject is sensitive because it concerns the First Vatican Council. I personally consider this essay, which was first published at https://einsprueche.substack.com/, to be truly fundamental: the author’s central intention is to defend the priesthood, the sacrifice, and the rite, and he does so with great consistency. The second part will follow soon, which returns to the question of the papacy and then draws conclusions on the Society of St. Pius X. We must begin to discuss these issues with intellectual honesty and without glossing over existing contradictions. —PAK
 

The Kingship of Christ and the Aporias of the Roman Church

Vigilius

For the Record: Pope's Letter to Cardinal on June Consistory

[Regarding the June consistory, read this. No mention is made of liturgical questions.]

Your Eminence,

During this holy season of Easter, I wish to convey to you my heartfelt and fraternal greetings, in the hope that the peace of the risen Lord may sustain and renew our suffering world.

Tocqueville and the Pope: On Catholics and Democracy

I think that the Catholic religion has erroneously been looked upon as the natural enemy of democracy. Amongst the various sects of Christians, Catholicism seems to me, on the contrary, to be one of those which are most favorable to the equality of conditions. In the Catholic Church, the religious community is composed of only two elements, the priest and the people. The priest alone rises above the rank of his flock, and all below him are equal.