Letter Confirms Vatican Barred Annual TLM Pilgrimage from Entering St. Peter’s Basilica

VATICAN CITY — A letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State to the organizers of the annual Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage, obtained by this journalist, confirms reports that the pilgrims were barred from entering St. Peter’s Basilica in procession to pray at the tomb of the Apostle.

The letter (pictured below), dated 30 September 2026, is signed by Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, Substitute for General Affairs, and addressed to the pilgrimage’s chaplain, Abbé Claude Barthe. Written in French, it reads:

“Dear Father, in reply to your letter of 8 September, concerning the international pilgrimage Ad Petri sedem, I inform you that it is not possible to respond favorably to your request. Please accept, dear Father, the expression of my religious and devoted regard.”

According to sources, the Vatican’s letter took approximately 10-12 days to arrive by post. ---More...

JUST IN: Letter Confirms Vatican Barred Annual TLM Pilgrimage from Entering St. Peter’s Basilica — [url=https://t.co/CM8Cx7DM1U]https://t.co/CM8Cx7DM1U[/url] A Sept. 30th letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State to the organizers of the annual Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage, obtained by this journalist, confirms reports that the pilgrims were barred from entering St. Peter’s Basilica in procession to pray at the tomb of the Apostle.

— Diane Montagna (@dianemontagna)October 25, 2026

A Sept. 30th letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State to the organizers of the annual Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage, obtained by this journalist, confirms reports that the pilgrims were barred from entering St. Peter’s Basilica in procession to pray at the tomb of the Apostle.