According to the statement, issued by SSPX superior general Bishop Bernard Fellay, the society "does not primarily seek recognition from the Vatican".

Bishop Fellay met Pope Francis for the first time in April.

For the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis granted faculties to SSPX priests to offer absolution of sins.

In the statement, Bishop Fellay said "a large number of pastors, including the Pope himself" have encouraged errors.

The bishop said a "painful confusion" currently reigns in the Church.

He affirmed that, in such times, the proclamation of Catholic doctrine requires the denunciation of such errors.

The statement did not specify the "errors" it was referring to.

And it didn't say how the the society believes Pope Francis is encouraging them.

The SSPX society "has a right" to full canonical recognition, Bishop Fellay stated.

But its primary aim is to teach the fullness of Catholic faith, "which shows the only route to follow in this age of darkness in which the cult of man replaces the worship of God, in society as in the Church".

"The 'restoration of all things in Christ' . . . cannot happen without the support of a pope who concretely favours the return to sacred tradition," the statement said.

"While waiting for that blessed day, the Society of St Pius X intends to redouble its efforts to establish and to spread, with the means that divine providence gives to it, the social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ."

The statement added: "The Society of Saint Pius X prays and does penance for the Pope, that he might have the strength to proclaim Catholic faith and morals in their entirety."

The statement was issued after a meeting of the group's leaders from 25-28 June.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Catholic Herald
• The Tablet
• DICI (Statement from SSPX)
• Image: Inside the Vatican

The two leaders met for 135 minutes in Cuba on February 12.

It was the first meeting of this kind for nearly 1000 years.

A joint statement was issued, in which Francis and Kirill declared: "We are not competitors but brothers, and this concept must guide all our mutual actions as well as those directed to the outside world."

"We urge Catholics and Orthodox in all countries to learn to live together in peace and love, and to be 'in harmony with one another'," they stated.

Pope Francis said he and Kirill spoke freely at the meeting.

The Pontiff said the discussions were tantamount to "a conversation of brothers", where each "spoke with frankness" about their worries and concerns.

Later, Francis also appeared to downplay some of the more strongly worded sections of the joint statement, saying: "It is not a political declaration . . . it is a pastoral declaration."

The 30-paragraph statement dealt with several controversial political issues, including: the continuing violence in Ukraine; persecution of Christians in the Middle East; issues of marriage and family life; and the practices of abortion and euthanasia.

At the beginning of their declaration, the Christian leaders wrote that they hope their meeting may be an example to the world.

Speaking of the changes facing humanity, Francis and Kirill wrote: "Human civilisation has entered into a period of epochal change."

"Our Christian conscience and our pastoral responsibility compel us not to remain passive in the face of challenges requiring a shared response," they stated.

The statement devoted six paragraphs to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, calling on the international community "to act urgently" to prevent even more Christians from fleeing the region.

It also mentioned the violence in Iraq and Syria, and strongly denounced terrorism and the use of religion to justify violence.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Full text: Statement by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill
• The Guardian
• Image: Reuters