Rorate has more HERE but this is the short version.
In a remarkable gesture of pastoral solicitude, Pope Leo XIV has extended an Apostolic Blessing to the Society of St. Pius X’s chapel in the Charlotte Diocese of North Carolina:
« The Holy Father Leo XIV cordially imparts the requested Apostolic Blessing to Reverend Father John… pic.twitter.com/YYB5XW2TFQ
— Peter Kwasniewski (@DrKwasniewski) December 8, 2025
Charlotte, where the local bishop cruelly suppressed celebrations of the TLM by diocesan priests, thus forcing families who desire their “legitimate aspiration” as Pope St. John Paul II called it, away from their parishes to drive long distances or to seek out the SSPX.
The SSPX… whose community received this papal blessing.
What does that mean? It doesn’t mean what some might be eager to claim, but it doesn’t mean nothing.
Loading ...
Question: Does this actually imply the Holy Father’s acknowledgement or is this just something that anybody can order through the the Vatican’s Apostolic Almoner’s Office? I’m wondering if approval was actually given by an intern who just checks to make sure the correct boxes are checked, like if you want to get a birthday greeting the President.
I’d like to respond to a widespread reaction, which I had anticipated.
Yes, we know that getting such a parchment is a simple process and the pope is not directly involved. A functionary signs off on it, and the document is produced.
Nevertheless, think what a denigration it is of the papal office to suggest that, because it is delegrated to a lower office, therefore a parchment of apostolic blessing means absolutely nothing, that it represents the pope in no way whatsoever, or even that it may be considered absolutely independent of the pope whose name it bears and whose blessing it conveys — for that seems to be the logical implication of such cynicism.
If that were really true, then we would be looking at a piece of vain superstition and a venal mechanism for moneymaking, such as Luther protested against in the Reformation.
Personally, I would like to think better of the Pope and the Vatican, in the sense that I accept at face value what this parchment is and represents, unless and until the Vatican is no longer the location on earth of the Church’s central government.
This blessing was obtained in order to signify the adherence of the SSPX in Charlotte to Christ’s Church on earth, led by His Vicar, in spite of the grave defects to which the central government in Rome is and has long been subject. It is a statement of respect and communion in the apostolic faith. Criticize the SSPX all you want, but they are not sedevacantists, and I’ll bet they pray more often and more fervently for the pope than just about any “normie” Catholic, because they actually care about his soul, about their own souls, and about the Faith given once for all to the saints.
Josephus Corvus, I have good reason from some first-hand knowledge to strongly suspect the latter.
Dr. Kwasniewski – Thank you for the response. I was in no way suggesting that the blessing itself was invalid, superstitious, or anything of the kind. My comment was not denigrating either the SSPX or the Vatican offices. I was simply questioning whether or not one can read anything more into that document. Was this blessing denied previously indicating a change in the overarching policy or do organizations get a higher level of scrutiny over, say, an individual requesting the blessing for a specific anniversary? If I ran into the Holy Father on the street corner and asked for blessing, I am sure he would give it (provided I wasn’t wearing my Packers sweatshirt). It would be completely good and valid. However, if he were to call me over by name, it would likewise be equally good and valid, but would also imply something about the Holy Father knowing who this guy is and choosing to interact with him.
I recall a sign in the basement of a Dublin bookshop “All Papal Blessings to be paid for upstairs”. I have long been sceptical about the significance of such documents.