The Vatican has officially abandoned the mandatory use of Latin in the work of its administrative bodies. This is enshrined in a new set of rules for the apparatus of the Catholic Church, approved by Pope Leo XIV and published this week.
According to the updated Article 50 Generale, documents of the Roman Curia can now be drafted "in Latin or in another language." Previously, it was mandated that official papers must be written predominantly in Latin.
The requirement for Vatican employees to have a good command of Latin has also been abolished. Now, proficiency in Italian and another language remains mandatory. Italian continues to be the primary working language of the Holy See.
However, Latin does not completely disappear from church practice. The Vatican maintains a "Latin Language Office," which can be used by all structures of the Roman Curia. Latin continues to be heard in traditional ceremonies — for example, the formula "Habemus Papam" when announcing a new pontiff will remain unchanged.
Official statements and speeches of the pontiff are primarily published in English, Italian, Spanish, and French.
It should be noted that this week, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina visited the Vatican on an official visit.
Leave a comment