In doing so, he gave some indirect indications of his view of the ongoing debate on the rules for celebrating church services with the traditionalists in the Catholic Church.
At the general audience in St. Peter's Square, he spoke in detail about the Council's decision "Sacrosanctum concilium."
This text was the starting point for a comprehensive modernization of the liturgy since 1970.
Unlike the Council’s decision, the modernization of a minority of Catholics has been controversial for decades. This led to the formation of traditionalist groups, some of which split off from the church.
'It wasn't just about a reform of the rites'
The Pope stressed that the Council Fathers were not only concerned with reform of the rites. “They wanted to make the Church look at and deepen the living bond that unites us: the mystery of Christ.”
The liturgical renewal of the 20th. century has revealed that this mystery does not show an obscure reality, but the plan of salvation of God, which has been hidden for ages and was revealed in Christ.”
The Pope went on to say, "Every time we participate in the community gathered in his name, we immerse ourselves in this mystery." The participation of people in the liturgy is at the same time internal and external. It is also evident in Christian action in daily life. Leo XIV called for being transformed internally by the rites, symbols and gestures of the liturgy.