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Lourdes Shrine Bans Traditionalist Priests and Covers Controversial Art
The famous religious site in France is making big changes before the Pope visits. It is blocking a specific group of priests and hiding artwork by a man accused of abuse.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, where new rules are being put in place.
By John Doe
Reporting from France 
Aug. 22, 2026, 11:49 a.m. - 10 hours ago
Big changes are coming to the famous Lourdes Shrine in France.
First, leaders at the shrine have decided to ban priests from the Society of St. Pius X. These priests follow older, traditional ways of saying Mass that are not always in line with the modern Catholic Church. Starting now, these priests cannot hold services or perform sacraments—which are special religious ceremonies—at the shrine.
Second, the shrine is covering up all the mosaics made by Father Marko Rupnik. A mosaic is a piece of art made from many small, colored tiles. Father Rupnik is a famous artist, but he has been accused of serious abuse against women. Because of these accusations, the church decided that his art should not be on display at this holy place.
These mosaics will be covered up starting before the Pope visits. The leaders at the shrine say the art will stay hidden indefinitely, which means they do not have a plan to show it again in the future.
These two decisions are a major move for the sanctuary. They are trying to set new rules and clear out things that have caused tension as they get ready to welcome the Pope.
Source: National Catholic Reporter
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