Tridintine Mass authorized

VATICAN CITY -- A document from Pope Benedict XVI authorizing wider use of the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass was released to representatives of national episcopal conferences, the Vatican press office confirmed June 28.

The document and an accompanying letter from the pope are expected to be released July 7. The Vatican press statement left open the question of when the policy would take effect. The policy change comes as a motu proprio, meaning under the pope's personal authority.

About 30 bishops met June 27 with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, to discussion "the content and spirit of the Holy Father's forthcoming motu proprio on the use of the missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962," the press office said.

Benedict later met the group, "spending nearly an hour in deep conversation with them," the statement said.

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