Latin Mass Permissions Steady from Pope Francis to Pope Leo XIV

Thirty-four dioceses received permission from the Vatican to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in parish churches during 2025, according to the Summarium Decretorum for 2025. This total matches the number of permissions granted in 2024 and remains consistent with the 35 permissions issued in 2022. The United States accounted for 24 of these 34 decrees.

The annual summary from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments shows that the Vatican's handling of these requests remained steady during the transition between popes. Seven decrees were issued during the pontificate of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025. The remaining 27 decrees were issued following the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8.

Under the 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, diocesan bishops must obtain permission from the Holy See to authorize celebrations using the 1962 Roman Missal in parish churches. Most of the 2025 decrees, totaling 29 of the 34, renewed existing permissions for an additional two years for established communities.