Stephen Cranney, a lecturer in sociology at The Catholic University of America, met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican to discuss his ongoing research on Catholics who attend the traditional Latin Mass in the United States, according to a Mar. 12 report by OSV News.
The meeting highlights ongoing interest within the Catholic Church regarding communities that participate in the traditional Latin Mass. This group has drawn attention since new norms for its celebration were introduced by the apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes in 2021.
Cranney is co-authoring a forthcoming book titled “Trads: Latin Mass Catholics in the United States” with Stephen Bullivant of St. Mary’s University, London. The book, scheduled for publication by Oxford University Press in November 2026, will use survey data, interviews, and ethnographic research to examine the demographics, beliefs, and experiences of those who attend the traditional Latin Mass.
The researchers aim to provide a clearer sociological understanding of this community and how their religious practices intersect with broader social trends. Cranney’s academic work often focuses on religion, demography, family formation, and social attitudes using quantitative methods such as survey analysis and demographic modeling.
Further details about Cranney’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV and his research can be found in an article from OSV News.
