Pope Leo XIV has made a final appeal to the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) not to proceed with the planned consecration of four bishops without a pontifical mandate, warning that such a move would constitute a new schismatic act and harm the spiritual welfare of the faithful, Vatican News reported.
The pope's letter, dated June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, was addressed to Fr. Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Society. It was sent two days before the SSPX announced it would consecrate four bishops on July 1 in Écône, Switzerland, without papal approval.
"With a paternal heart, and aware of the responsibility entrusted to me by the Lord as the Successor of the Apostle Peter, I address you," Pope Leo wrote, acknowledging the Society's devotion to the liturgy, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal, and desire to remain faithful to tradition. He noted that these qualities had prompted successive popes to pursue dialogue with the Society.
The pope then made a direct appeal: "Please turn back!"
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo urged the Society to consider "the spiritual good of the faithful," warning that proceeding with the episcopal consecrations would deprive them of the licit reception of the sacraments and, in some cases, even their valid reception.
"The Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful," the pope wrote.
He further cautioned that "to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity," urging the Society to abandon its plans. Entrusting the matter to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the pope prayed that the Lord would "enlighten your consciences and awaken your hearts."
According to Vatican News, the pope's principal concern is the spiritual well-being of Catholics associated with the Society. If the unauthorized consecrations proceed, the sacraments administered within the Society would become illicit and, in certain cases—notably the sacraments of reconciliation and marriage—even invalid.
The Society of Saint Pius X was founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Its relationship with the Holy See has remained irregular since Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal approval in 1988, an act that led to excommunications and a prolonged rupture with Rome. Although subsequent popes have sought reconciliation through dialogue and limited pastoral concessions, the Society has not returned to full communion with the Catholic Church. According to Vatican News, Pope Leo's letter represents a final effort to avert another rupture and preserve the path toward reconciliation.
