For Catholic pilgrims drawn to the beauty and reverence of the traditional liturgy, attending a Latin Mass in Rome is a deeply moving experience. As the heart of the Catholic Church, Rome offers numerous opportunities to participate in Mass in Latin.
Firstly it is asserted by many that there are two forms of Mass in the Roman Rite. The Novus Ordo / New Rite / Ordinary Form brought in after the Second Vatican Council, and the Pre-Conciliar Mass known as the Tridentine Mass / Old Rite / Extraordinary Form / Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) or sometimes simply “The Latin Mass”. “The Latin Mass” referring to the Old Rite is however a misnomer as the New Rite Mass is often also celebrated in Latin. For the purposes of this article however, we will assume that you are interested in attending the TLM ie the Old Rite (which is always in Latin).
Of course, Pope Francis attempted to suppress this TLM in the mainstream with his paradoxically named motu proprio “Traditiones Custodes“. Nevertheless certain occasions of the Mass continued in Rome, and with the election of a new Pope Leo XIV it will be become clear if this becomes more prevalent as time effluxes.
Whether you are a seasoned attendee of the Traditional Latin Mass or curious to encounter it for the first time, this guide from Crucis Tours will help you locate and prepare for the most spiritually enriching celebrations of the Traditional Latin Mass in Rome.
1. Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter – FSSP)
Image by Dedi62, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Address: Via dei Pettinari, 36A, 00186 Roma RM
- Daily Mass at 7.00am (Low Mass)
- Sunday 9:00am (Low Mass) & 10:30am (Solemn High Mass)
This is the primary hub for the Latin Mass in Rome and is celebrated by the FSSP, a community dedicated to the Extraordinary Form. Located just a short walk from Piazza Farnese and Campo de’ Fiori, the church is known for its beautiful baroque architecture and strong liturgical tradition.
2. Chiesa dei Santi Celso e Giuliano (Institute of Christ the King – ICKSP) – Temporarily Closed for Restoration Until Autumn 2026
- Address: Via del Banco di Santo Spirito, 52, 00186 Roma RM
- Daily Mass at 6.30pm
- Solumn Mass Sundays at 10.00am
Another vibrant centre for the Traditional Latin Mass in Rome, this church is operated by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Just steps from the Vatican, the church offers a quiet, prayerful refuge where the ancient Roman rite is celebrated with reverence and rich vestments.
However the church is closed for renovation and so the Institute of Christ the King will be operating Mass at the two churches below.
4. Basilica di San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini (ICKSP)
- Address: Piazza del Oro, 1, 00184 Roma RM
- The Traditional Latin Mass is offered.
The Institute of Christ the King offer the Traditional Latin Mass here at:
- Sundays & Feast Days (sung Mass): 8:30 am and
- Tuesday to Friday (low Mass): 7:30 am.
5. The Chiesa dell’Immacolata dei Miracoli (ICKSP)
- Address: Via Sebastiano Veniero, 3, 00184 Roma RM
- Sundays and Feast Days the Traditional Latin Mass is offered.
The Institute of Christ the King offer the Traditional Latin Mass here at:
- Sundays & Feast Days: 11 am and 6 pm
- Ferias (low Mass): 6 pm Monday-Friday and 11am on Saturdays
- Adoration: 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
- Confessions: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday) Also available during Mass
- Vespers: 5:00 p.m. (Sunday), 4:00 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday)
6. The Chapel of St Catherine of Sienna (SSPX)
- Address: Via Urbana, 85, 00184 Roma RM
- Sundays and Feast Days the Traditional Latin Mass is offered.
The Society of St Pius X offer the Traditional Latin Mass at 9am and 11am on Sundays and Feast Days throughout the year and also on Fridays at 6:30pm in the non-Summer period.
7. Personal Parish of Sant’Anna al Laterano
- Address: Via Merulana, 177, 00185 Roma RM
- Weekly Sunday Masses offered in the Traditional Latin Mass
This religious community of nuns hosts the Traditional Mass in Latin at 4pm each Sunday. It is an extremely beautiful church not usually open to the public.
8. Major Papal Basilica of St Mary Major
- Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Roma RM
- Traditional Latin elements are often preserved, particularly in Gregorian chant and vestments
Though not exclusively Tridentine, liturgies at the Major Basilicas often retain substantial elements of the traditional Latin form. Attending a Solemn Mass here at St Mary Major, the final resting place of the recently departed Pope Francis, especially on feast days, offers a New Rite Latin Mass experience.
However, on the day of the election of Pope Leo XIV, a Traditional Latin Mass was celebrated at the Basilica to a packed church so it may be that in the future the TLM becomes more often celebrated there. Time will tell.
Take a 1-hour tour of St Mary Major with us, or make it part of our longer Via Crucis tour, exploring the Relics of Christ. One of Rome’s four Major Papal Basilicas, Santa Maria Maggiore is also home to one of the four Holy Doors open during the Holy Jubilee year of 2025.
9. Basilica di San Clemente (Irish Dominicans)
- Address: Via Labicana, 95, 00184 Roma RM
- Latin Mass occasionally offered for feast days and special solemnities
While San Clemente is better known for its English Masses, the Irish Dominican friars occasionally celebrate the Novus Ordo Latin Mass in Rome here, especially on significant liturgical feasts. Occasionally it is possible to attend the old Dominican Rite Mass in Latin here too but rarely. The basilica itself is an archaeological treasure that provides a remarkable context for the traditional liturgy.
Crucis Tours visits all three levels of the Basilica of St Clement in our Standalone St Clement tour, our Roman Martyrs tour and our enthralling Early Christianity tour. Home to 1st century excavations, this is an opportunity to see Christianity underground in every sense.
Tips for Attending the Latin Mass in Rome
- Bring a missal or download a Latin-English guide: Understanding the structure will help you follow the liturgy and appreciate its deep symbolism.
- Dress modestly and reverently: Traditional attire is encouraged, particularly for women who may wish to wear a veil.
- Arrive early and stay prayerful: The Latin Mass often begins in silence, fostering a contemplative atmosphere from the start.
- Be prepared to receive Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling: This is the standard practice in the Extraordinary Form.
Why Experience the Traditional Latin Mass in Rome?
Attending a Traditional Latin Mass in Rome is to step into the living history of the Church. In this city where Latin was once the language of everyday Christian worship and doctrine, the Tridentine liturgy echoes with the prayers of saints, martyrs, and pilgrims across the ages and helps provide a sense of Unity of the Church.
The traditional Mass engages all the senses: the scent of incense, the solemn chant, the elaborate vestments, and the orientation of priest and people together toward the altar. Everything is centred on God and it is a liturgical experience that transcends time and space, offering a glimpse of heaven within the heart of the Church.
Travel with Crucis Tours
At Crucis Tours, we understand the hunger for reverent liturgy and meaningful pilgrimage. Our tours in Rome are thoughtfully integrated into itineraries that explore Rome’s rich spiritual and historical legacy.
Whether you’re joining our Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour, Major Basilicas Tour or Early Christianity Tour, we are happy to advise you on finding a Traditional Latin Mass in Rome as part of your experience.
Conclusion
The Traditional Latin Mass in Rome is not just a liturgical choice; it is a profound spiritual encounter rooted in centuries of Catholic worship. For those who seek stillness, beauty, and timeless reverence, Rome offers many sacred spaces to enter deeply into the mystery of the Eucharist through the Extraordinary Form.
If you would like guidance on finding a Latin Mass near your accommodation or adding a traditional liturgy to your itinerary, contact us. We are here to help you make the most of your spiritual journey in the Eternal City.