Pope Francis is limiting the title “monsignor” among diocesan priests to those of 65 years and older.
The change is not not retroactive however Bishops must resubmit any pending requests for papal honours in accordance with the new rules.
The new rules were announced in a letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State to nunciatures around the world, along with instructions to inform local bishops.
The new rules do not affect Vatican officials or members of religious orders.
Of the three grades of monsignor: Apostolic protonotary, honorary prelate of His Holiness, and chaplain of His Holiness, only the last will be available to diocesan priests who meet the new age requirement.
Pope Francis has often warned clergy against the temptations of careerism and personal ambition.
Vatican spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi, said reformed the system of ecclesiastical honours should been in the same way as Pope Paul VI in 1968 simplified the system, reducing the number of titles to three.
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