That’s not rite.
Six priests are facing “corrective measures” for a mock prayer that Pope Francis “go to heaven as soon as possible” during a conservative-leaning gathering aired on YouTube.
Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves, of Toledo, Spain, rebuked the group of priests in a statement on the archdiocese website over the comments the priests made during a video titled “The Sacristy of the Vendée. A counter-revolutionary priestly gathering” posted earlier this month.
In the clip, a Toledo priest says in his introduction “I also pray a lot for the Pope, so that he can go to heaven as soon as possible” — prompting laughter from the other priests present for the religious discussion, The Independent reported.
Chavez declared a “profound rejection of any manifestation of disaffection towards the person and ministry of the Holy Father,” in his statement, and said he has told the priests they should seek forgiveness.
The archdiocese said it is not responsible for or represented by the comments made by the priests in the video.
The Sacristy of the Vendée group offered a mild apology in a statement posted on X — but said the comment was made in jest.
“We are sorry for the unfortunate comment, said in a humorous tone, about ‘praying for the Pope to go to Heaven as soon as possible,’” it said.
“It is a comment in bad taste and, although it does not express wishes for the death of the Pope, as some media have maliciously spread … we understand that it can be understood that way,” the group added.
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff, has drawn the ire of more conservative-leaning Catholic leaders over his progressive stances, including the church’s landmark decision to approve blessings for same-sex couples in December.
The 87-year-old, who has been suffering from a mild flu, was hospitalized in Rome on Wednesday but was later released and returned to the Vatican, his office said.
The pope has suffered repeated health problems in recent months and was forced to cancel a planned trip to a COP28 climate meeting in Dubai in December due to influenza and lung inflammation.