Pope reverses Benedict move by reimposing restrictions on Latin Mass

Pope Francis (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis has cracked down on the spread of the old Latin Mass, reversing one of Pope Benedict XVI’s signature decisions in a major challenge to traditionalist Catholics.

Francis said he had reimposed restrictions on celebrating the Latin Mass that were relaxed in 2007 because Benedict’s reform had become a source of division in the Roman Catholic Church and used as a tool by Catholics opposed to the Second Vatican Council, the 1960s meetings that modernised the church.