December 26, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Since 2017, this blog, Roma Locuta Est, has followed the arguments of those who claimed the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was not valid. One of the things I was curious about was, what would the Benepapists do after the deaths of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis? … More The Inevitable Descent into Schism, and Madness
November 7, 2025 – (Steven O’Reilly) – Since he was elected on May 8, seven months ago, I have for the most part refrained from commenting on the acts of Pope Leo XIV. It was not so much intentional, as it was because I have been busy with other things in life. For one, I … More The recent controversy over Marian titles and the Crisis in Rome
September 6, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Up until now, Roma Locuta Est has not posted on the current pontificate. Our last mention of Pope Leo XIV was on May 10 in an article titled Habemus Papam. In that article, against the doomsayers, I suggested Catholic “be Hopeful and Optimistic – and prayerful” in response to … More Pope Leo XIV: Silence gives consent
August 26, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Roma Locuta Est has covered the recent publication of pope emeritus Benedict XVI’s letter to Msgr. Bux in 2014 (see The Stake through the Heart of Benepapism). In that letter, Benedict XVI clearly stated in renouncing the ministerium, he also renounced the munus as well. Benedict wrote: “In my opinion, … More The Authenticity of Benedict XVI’s 2014 Letter
August 10, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Monsignor Nicola Bux and Vito Palmiotti have just published a book titled, Realta e Utopia nella Chiesa, or Reality and Utopica. In its appendix, this new book includes a letter written by Benedict XVI to Msgr Bux in August of 2014 — a year after Benedict’s resignation, when he … More The Stake through the Heart of Benepapism
August 5, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Last night I received DMs from folks on X wanting to give me a heads up that Dr. Mazza, noted Benepapist and Semi-vacantist, was being interviewed by Stephen Kokx on his YouTube channel. The title of the video was Is Leo XIV a True Pope? Mr. Kokx, in articles … More Benepapism: The gateway drug to sedevacantism
May 23, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – [Updated 5/25/2025] In the immediate aftermath of the election of Pope Leo XIV, Roma Locuta Est decided to check up on various leading Benepapists – i.e., those who claimed Benedict XVI’s resignation was invalid – and to see whether or not they accepted our new Supreme Pontiff. Roma … More Dr. Mazza: A Semivacantist?
May 12, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Just a day or so ago Roma Locuta Est published an article titled Habemus Problem? which surveyed the landscape of the assorted, leading voices of Benepapism (i.e., the belief Benedict’s resignation was invalid) and or leading voices of those who claimed Francis was an antipope. The purpose of this research … More Habemus Bugnolo?
May 10, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – [Updated 5/11/2025] A recent Roma Locuta Est post outlines the reasons why I believe a Catholic should be optimistic about the election and reign of Pope Leo XIV (see Habemus Papam). But, for this current article, I decided to survey some of the reactions to Pope Leo XIV’s election … More Habemus Problem?
May 9, 2025 (Steven O’Reilly) – Everyone is chiming in on the election of the first American pope, Leo XIV. Roma Locuta Est, Liliputian as it may be, cannot be expected to do less. Below I will lay out the case for why I am optimistic for the reign of Pope Leo XIV. As I … More Habemus Papam
Commentary and Apologetics
Commentary and Apologetics
Commentary and Apologetics
Commentary and Apologetics
A Canon Lawyer's Blog
Commentary and Apologetics
Roma Locuta Est 