Pope Leo XIV Defends Vatican II Liturgy Reform, Citing 1963 Council and Pius XII

4 articles · Updated · Aleteia · May 27

Pope Leo XIV told his May 27 general audience that Vatican II’s liturgical changes were justified because the Church, while safeguarding doctrine, must "grow, mature, develop, adapt, and accommodate" to changing times.
Quoting Pius XII’s Mediator Dei and the 1963 constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, he said reform sought to strengthen Christian life, meet contemporary needs, promote Christian unity and draw more people into the Church.
Leo framed the reform as continuity rather than rupture, saying immutable divine elements remain while changeable rites may be revised when they no longer fit the liturgy’s inner nature or pastoral needs.
He said any revision must grow organically from existing forms and follow theological, historical and pastoral study, warning priests and others not to add, remove or alter liturgical elements on their own.
The broader aim, he said, is renewed evangelization through a living tradition in which liturgy both expresses the Church’s life and sustains ecclesial communion.

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