Pope Leo XIV and the Invitation of the Society of Saint Pius X to the 2025 Jubilee

Pope Leo XIV and the Invitation of the Society of Saint Pius X to the 2025 Jubilee

In a significant gesture of inclusion, Pope Leo XIV extended an invitation to the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) to participate in the Vatican’s official Jubilee calendar for the Holy Year 2025, marking a notable moment in the relationship between the SSPX and the Holy See. The Jubilee, a time of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the Catholic Church, provided an opportunity for the SSPX to hold events in Rome, a historic inclusion for the traditionalist group, which has had a complex relationship with the Vatican since its founding in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

The SSPX, focused on preserving the traditional Latin Mass and the pre-Vatican II liturgical and doctrinal traditions, has often operated on the margins of full communion with the Catholic Church. While not in schism, its canonical status has been a subject of debate, with tensions stemming from its rejection of certain reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Pope Leo XIV’s decision to include the SSPX in the Jubilee calendar reflects a broader effort to foster unity and dialogue within the Church, aligning with the Jubilee’s themes of mercy, reconciliation, and renewal, as emphasized in past Holy Years, such as the 1950 Jubilee under Pope Pius XII, which sought post-war healing and peace.[](https://sspx.org/en)[](https://rome.nd.edu/events/2024/11/14/pius-xii-and-the-holy-year-of-1950/)

This invitation, as noted in posts on X, represents the first time in recent history that the SSPX has been formally included in such a Vatican initiative. The move has sparked varied reactions. Some see it as a step toward bridging divides between traditionalist Catholics and the broader Church, while others express concern that it could strain the confidence of those who value Pope Leo XIV’s leadership but remain wary of the SSPX’s positions. For instance, one X post suggested that traditional Catholics might not abandon loyalty but could lose a degree of trust if the inclusion of the SSPX is perceived as endorsing controversial stances.

Historically, Jubilees have been moments for the Church to reaffirm its mission and invite all faithful to participate in spiritual renewal. Pope Leo XIII, in the 1900 Jubilee, emphasized reawakening Christian sensibility, while Pope Pius XII’s 1950 Jubilee focused on post-war reconciliation. Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to the SSPX can be seen as a continuation of this tradition, aiming to draw even those on the Church’s periphery into the fold during the Holy Year. 

The SSPX’s participation could involve events such as Masses, devotions, or pilgrimages to Rome’s major basilicas, consistent with Jubilee practices outlined in historical papal documents like Leo XII’s 1824 encyclical Quod Hoc Ineunte, which called for repentance, confession, and visits to sacred sites for plenary indulgences.[](https://press.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01051997_p-103_en.html)[](https://rome.nd.edu/events/2024/11/14/pius-xii-and-the-holy-year-of-1950/)[](https://www.papalencyclicals.net/leo12/l12quodh.htm)

While the invitation is a gesture of goodwill, it does not resolve ongoing theological and canonical discussions between the SSPX and the Vatican. The SSPX’s mission, centered on the priesthood and the traditional Mass, remains distinct, and its inclusion in the Jubilee does not necessarily signal full reconciliation. Nonetheless, Pope Leo XIV’s outreach underscores the 2025 Jubilee’s call for unity, inviting diverse groups within the Church to share in the “year of expiation and forgiveness, of redemption and grace,” as articulated by Pope Leo XII in 1825.[](https://sspx.org/en)[](https://www.papalencyclicals.net/leo12/l12quodh.htm)

This historic inclusion of the SSPX in the Jubilee calendar highlights Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to fostering dialogue and healing divisions, while navigating the delicate balance of maintaining trust among the faithful. The long-term impact of this decision on the SSPX’s relationship with the Vatican and the broader Catholic community remains to be seen, but it marks a significant moment in the Church’s ongoing journey toward unity.