Pope Leo XIV asked the ultra-traditionalist group SSPX to annul the consecration of bishops, warning of the risk of a schism with the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV appealed on Tuesday to the ultra-traditionalist Catholic group, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), to abandon the planned consecration of bishops, warning that this act could lead to a complete schism with the Vatican. In a letter addressed to the superior of SSPX, Father Davide Pagliarani, the pope described the plan as a schismatic act and a "sin of extreme gravity." He emphasized that the Vatican is open to dialogue and warned about the negative impact on the faithful. According to the law of the Catholic Church, any consecration of bishops without the authorization of the Vatican leads to their automatic excommunication. SSPX, founded in 1970 by those who opposed the liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council, has already celebrated the ordination of five new priests, but the consecration of bishops without papal consent is considered a serious violation of church law. Although SSPX has a significant global presence, the group does not have legal status in the Catholic Church.