Solemn Pontifical Mass in St. Peter’s – Part 2

(Above and below) The kiss of peace.

(Above) Cardinal Ernest Simoni of Albania suffered torture and imprisonment for 28 years. He now pronounced an exorcism in St. Peter’s, including reciting the prayer to St. Michael.

(Above) Cardinal Burke greets Cardinal Brandmüller.

So the Traditional Mass was celebrated once more in St. Peter’s Basilica.1) Saturday’s Mass resonated throughout the secular media. Even representatives of the establishment European Catholic media were mildly positive (except for a theologian in Germany, enraged by the “premodern” symbolism he saw). it was a great accomplishment, indeed – not just for the organizers and sacred ministers, but for all those who for a few days (not 28 years like Cardinal Simonii) endured a little discomfort in support of Catholic Tradition.

1. I should point out here that, contrary to what is being reported in various media, in 2021 and 2022 Masses were celebrated in St. Peter’s as part of the Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage, See our reports here and here. These were not pontifical Masses – in 2021 Pope Francis reportedly blocked the participation of an American bishop (not Cardinal Burke!). It was only in the pilgrimages of 2023 and 2024 that the Pope prevented the celebration of a Mass.