The pilgrims processed to the apse of the basilica of St. Peter’s, where the Solemn Mass would be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter. The space initially reserved was quickly filled, and, just as in the Pantheon, a stream of new arrivals continued to swell the the congregation. At the end quite a number were left standing ouside the barriers the authorities of the basilica had set up.
The Mass was a votive mass of Sts. Peter and Paul. I should say that the particpants kept closely monitoring the news to make sure the events of the pilgrimage would take place at all. A pontifical liturgy had been scheduled for Saturday, but at the last minute the Archbishop in question had to withdraw. An official of the curia, Msgr. Patrick Descourtieux, stepped in to celebrate the liturgy – which accordingly took place as scheduled. (Msgr. Descourtieux in 2019 had assumed an office in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which had been given the functions of the abolished Ecclesia Dei commission). I understand that in the past masses of this pilgrimage had been celebrated by a bishop or Cardinal.
The celebrant gave his homily alternating beween various languages – something I confess that appears a little strange to me, especially since the program set out the full text of the homily in French and four other languages. The content was a non-controversial, non-specific but perhaps politically astute reflection on Sts Peter and Paul. As at the vespers of the previous evening, music was again provided by the Cappella Musicale di Santa Maria in Campitelli, directed by Vincenzo Di Betta.
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