Vatican Spokesman Says He Was Not Aware of Letters Regarding Traditionalist Pilgrimage

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told The Pillar on October 29 that he was unaware of letters published by an Italian traditionalist blog regarding the Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica. The letters, published October 28, appear to contradict previous statements from the Holy See concerning the group's requests for accommodations during their pilgrimage.

The dispute involves the Vatican's decision to deny the group permission to conduct a procession or adoration liturgy inside the basilica on October 24. Last week, the Holy See Press Office stated that while the request to process into the basilica was rejected, the group should have made a specific request if they wanted to hold Eucharistic adoration or prayer time inside.

However, a letter dated September 8, published by the blog Messa in Latino, indicates that organizers had asked the Secretariat of State for specific accommodations. The release of these documents follows several months of exchanges between pilgrimage organizers and the Vatican regarding the group's ability to celebrate Mass or process into the basilica as they have in previous years.