Vatican Spokesman Matteo Bruni says he does not know about letters contradicting Vatican's version on Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage

Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, stated he has no knowledge of correspondence that contradicts the Vatican's explanation regarding the Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage. This response follows the publication of letters that appear to conflict with the Vatican's account of why pilgrims were denied entry to St. Peter's Basilica.

On October 26, a Vatican spokesperson told The Pillar that the refusal applied only to the procession and that the group should have submitted a specific request if they wanted to pray inside the basilica. However, letters published on October 28 by the Italian blog Messa in Latino suggest otherwise. These documents indicate that the pilgrimage chaplain, Father Claude Barthe, had made requests regarding the traditional Mass at St. Peter's.

According to the published correspondence, Father Barthe asked Pope Leo XIV to renew permission for the traditional Mass on June 12. On August 7, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the substitute for the Secretariat of State, replied that the request could not be granted for that year. The letters reportedly include specific details regarding dates, times, and locations for prayer, which contradicts the Vatican's claim that no such specific request was made.