Name? Robert Francis Prevost (Pope Leo XIV)
Westphalian identity? Vatican, US American
Age? 70
Why is he in the news? The head of the Catholic Church and Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV, formally excommunicated all followers who “formally adhere” to conservative splinter sect The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). This followed a ceremony held in Écône, Switzerland where the group consecrated four new bishops without approval, in direct opposition to the Church’s regulations. The SSPX has had poor relations with the Church since its founding in 1970 by Archbishop Lefebvre, fundamentally disagreeing with the “modernisation” of the Church’s traditions and beliefs.
Why do we care? Although excommunications of individual bishops, priests, or followers are relatively common following individual breaches of conduct, punishing an entire group of this size has not occurred since 1870 with a German Catholic sect. This shows a hard line from Pope Leo XIV, who has been relatively unconfrontational since being elected the head of the Church in May 2025.
Why should you care? An estimated 600,000 Christians (mostly situated in the USA and France) are believed to be followers of the SSPX, and are all considered excommunicated unless they formally leave the sect. Excommunication is considered one of the harshest punishments a believer can receive. Followers of the SSPX will now have to choose between giving up their ultra-traditionalist beliefs or being ostracised from the principal body of their religion.
Who else cares? U.S. President Donald Trump has been feuding with Pope Leo following unprecedented public statements accusing him of “endangering Catholics” with his anti-war stance. Many SSPX followers reside in the rural US and align with the MAGA movement, so will be looking to the American President for a response condemning the punishment.
Any further comments? Days later, Pope Leo celebrated the 250th anniversary of US independence and bade Christians to “receive [immigrants] with compassion”, further opposing Trump’s agenda.
