(LifeSiteNews) — The Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has responded to Pope Leo’s recent letter.
Father Davide Pagliarani, the leader of the traditionalist SSPX, has written to Pope Leo to express the Society’s devotion to the Catholic Church and to ask for his blessing. (Full letter published below.)
In the letter, written in a gentle tone, Fr. Pagliarani says that he has hoped for a long time to meet with the Pontiff and express to him “directly our sincere desire to serve the Church.”
Addressing Pope Leo’s indirect accusation that, by consecrating new bishops, the SSPX will tear Christ’s “seamless garment,” Pagliarani says that they believe it is their duty to mend that already damaged robe.
“Paradoxically, in the present circumstances, we believe it to be our very duty to do everything possible to mend Christ’s seamless garment, torn by forces and pressures incompatible with a truly Catholic spirit,” he states.
Pagliarani asks Pope Leo to consider this and to discern “before making a decision concerning the Society of Saint Pius X.”
“It is not yet too late,” he underscores.
The SSPX Superior General reminds the Pope that in 1988 the Society was already declared schismatic, and yet “after so many years, we are speaking together as a father and his son.” He notes that the Pope has asked him “to avoid a schism which, theoretically, has already taken place.”
“Does not Your very attitude—whose paternal concern I deeply appreciate—constitute proof that the Society is neither schismatic nor hostile to the Church?” he asks.
Pagliarani also notes that two bishops outside the Society, Bishops Huornder and Schneider, had been asked by the Holy See to dialogue with the SSPX and had publicly witnessed to its “profoundly Catholic spirit.”
He says he speaks also for the “thousands of souls who have rediscovered the Catholic faith and the practice of religion” through the SSPX.
“They have suffered, and they are sincere,” Pagliarani states.
He reminds the Pontiff that even now he could give his permission for the consecrations, saying “A gesture of understanding on Your part, far from harming unity, could only manifest before the world and before all Christians Your concern for unity and Your goodness as a father.”
RELATED: Pope Leo tells SSPX ‘schismatic act’ would deprive faithful of ‘licit’ sacraments
Pope Leo’s letter warning Fr. Pagliarani that the SSPX’s planned episcopal consecrations will be a “schismatic act” was dated June 29, 2026 and made public June 30. The consecration of four SSPX priests, Fathers Michael Goldade (USA), Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Michael Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier (France), to the episcopate will take place tomorrow, July 1, in Êcone, Switzerland. The ceremonies will be performed by Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay.
LifeSiteNews’ John-Henry Westen will continue to report from Êcone, and a livestream of July 1’s ceremonies will be available at LifeSiteNews very early tomorrow morning.
To His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
Ecône, 30 June 2026
Most Holy Father,
Thank you very much for the letter that Your Holiness so kindly addressed to me.
I have been deeply touched by Your paternal solicitude.
For a long time, I had hoped to have the opportunity of meeting You in person, in order to express to You directly our sincere desire to serve the Church. Unfortunately, that opportunity has not presented itself.
I ask only that You consider the sincerity of this intention, which is in no way feigned. Paradoxically, in the present circumstances, we believe it to be our very duty to do everything possible to mend Christ’s seamless garment, torn by forces and pressures incompatible with a truly Catholic spirit. I ask only that You consider the authenticity of this intention before making a decision concerning the Society of Saint Pius X. It is not yet too late.
Far be it from us to separate ourselves from the Roman Church. We desire, on the contrary, to serve her by means that are extraordinary, as one would assist a mother in distress who requires particular help, even if such help is not understood by everyone. Yet I am certain that the Holy Father could understand it.
The Holy See has shown itself capable of understanding very complex situations and of allowing time for discernment.
May I therefore filially ask Your Holiness to take the time necessary for that discernment.
If my own words are not sufficient, I would ask You to reflect upon two very simple facts. First, in 1988 the Society was already declared schismatic, for reasons and in circumstances entirely analogous to those of today. Yet, after so many years, we are speaking together as a father and his son. Your Holiness is paternally urging me to avoid a schism which, theoretically, has already taken place. Does not Your very attitude—whose paternal concern I deeply appreciate—constitute proof that the Society is neither schismatic nor hostile to the Church?
Secondly, some years ago, the Holy See entrusted two bishops of the Church with the task of engaging in dialogue with the Society of Saint Pius X: Bishop Vitus Huonder, then Bishop of Chur, now deceased, and Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana. Both, after taking the necessary time for discernment, recognised the profoundly Catholic spirit of the Society and bore public witness to it.
Above all, however, I venture to address Your Holiness in the name of the thousands of souls who have rediscovered the Catholic faith and the practice of religion through the apostolate of the Society. This is a fact of which Your predecessors themselves took note. These souls have but one desire: to attain salvation through this instrument which Divine Providence has placed at their disposal. They have suffered, and they are sincere. I am confident that Your paternal heart as universal Shepherd will be moved by this very particular situation. One day, all the difficulties between the Holy See and the Society will be resolved. A gesture of understanding on Your part, far from harming unity, could only manifest before the world and before all Christians Your concern for unity and Your goodness as a father.
I leave all this to Your consideration. I renew my prayers for Your Holiness.
For a long time, even before Your election, I have been praying to Saint Rita for the present situation. I saw in the election of an Augustinian Pope a sign of hope. I am certain that the Saint will intercede. It is never too late. Please give us Your blessing.
I take this opportunity to remain, with the deepest devotion in Our Lord,
Don Davide Pagliarani
READ: SSPX ordains new deacons, priests in ‘beautiful and reverent ceremony’
Updated.