We have an excellent relationship. As soon as Pope Francis) hears that we are in Rome, he opens all doors for us. He often offers us his help, even i… - Bernard Fellay

We have never said that the Council directly professed heresies. But the wall of protection against error was removed, and thus error was allowed to manifest itself. The faithful need protection. This is the constant struggle of the militant Church to defend the faith.

With Pope Francis we do not see this attachment to either liturgy or ancient discipline; one could even say that the opposite is true, manifested through many contrary statements, and this is what makes understanding such benevolence even more difficult and complicated. I think there are at least several possible explanations, but I confess that I do not have the final word on the matter. One explanation is Pope Francis' view of everything that is marginalised, what he calls the “existential peripheries”. I would not be surprised if he considered us one of these peripheries to which he clearly gives his preference.

When Pope Francis was elected, I thought: now comes the excommunication. But it was the opposite: Cardinal Mueller wanted to have us excommunicated, and Pope Francis refused. He told me personally: ‘I will not condemn you.’ Reconciliation will come. Our Mother Church is incredibly divided at the moment. The conservatives want us, and they have said so in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The German bishops absolutely do not want us. Rome has to deal with all these elements, we understand that. If we were simply accepted as we are, there would be a war in the Church. There is a fear that we will triumph. The Pope told journalists: ‘I will make sure that it is not a triumph.’