Cardinal Mauro Gambetti has been the main administrator of the Vatican Basilica since 2021, after being named by Francis for the triple position of Archpriest for Saint Peter's Basilica, Vicar General for the Vatican City State, and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter.
Following the publication of Traditionis custodes, and then the (informal) wishes of Francis, it fell to him to both prohibit the Traditional Mass in the main basilica (it is now available only in a limited way in a crypt chapel) and forbid the celebration of “private” masses of any form in the chapels of the main nave.
The upcoming Pontifical Mass to be celebrated on October 25 by Cardinal Burke at the Altar of the Chair in the Vatican Basilica was already an important sign, and it had to be approved by Gambetti and certainly under the direction of Pope Leo XIV.
Under these new circumstances, the Catholic Herald reached out to the Cardinal about the future of the Latin Mass in general. His answer is telling:
The Catholic Herald has secured an exclusive response from Cardinal Gambetti on the future of the Traditional Latin Mass.
The young curial cardinal, regarded by many as a handpicked protégé of Pope Francis, offered a brief but telling reply. The Catholic Herald asked the Cardinal whether we could inquire about the Traditional Latin Mass and its future status. He responded: “Better not answer that. I have been told that we will wait for the Holy Father to decide.”
Let us pray that the Holy Father's heart is moved in the direction of unity, peace, and justice in the Church.
