Private Masses are still off limits at St. Peter’s Basilica. But a new Vatican letter gives exceptions

A Pillar Explainer

A letter published by the Vatican press office June 22 aimed to clarify the details of a March decision to prohibit the long-held and long-standing custom of priests celebrating “private Masses” at the side altars of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

But the letter was written in Vaticanese, which does not always excel at clarity. So The Pillar brings you some help…