The Pope has shown cardinals a long-awaited document opening the way for the return of the old Latin Mass after it was effectively shelved in the late 1960s.
Benedict XVI discussed the document, which is his own initiative, with cardinals for about an hour on Wednesday, the Vatican said, adding that it will be published "in a few days".
The Latin Mass was used by the Catholic Church until 1969. As part of liturgical reforms, it was then replaced by a mass in local languages.
The old 'Tridentine' mass was not banned but priests needed special authorisation from bishops before they could celebrate it. As a result it is now rare.
It has long been known that Benedict is himself an admirer of the traditional rites in Latin and a document allowing its return - as an option alongside the modern mass - had been expected almost since he was elected.
"The old liturgy is a great heritage," said Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, who viewed Benedict's document with other top cardinals.
It is unclear how much freedom will be given to priests and Catholics who want Latin Masses. A reference by Bertone to "certain conditions" laid down in the new document indicated that there will still be some control.
The pope's decision to present his document first to cardinals representing bishops around the world appeared to reflect how sensitive and problematic the return of the Latin Mass is for the Church.
Bishops in countries such as France and the United States have voiced fears that having two possible masses could spark a division in their Catholic communities.
There has also been concern that a green light for the Latin Mass will dent the authority of bishops, who up to know have had the final word on what sort of liturgy is used in their dioceses.
Benedict's document has reportedly been adjusted since December in order to take into account the fears expressed, especially those regarding the authority of bishops.
"The role of the bishops is central," Bertone told reporters on Wednesday.
HEALING A SPLIT?
The virtual abandonment of the Latin Mass angered some Catholics and in the 1980s, a splinter group led by French archbishop Marcel Lefebvre broke away from the Church.
Lefebvre's group also disliked other aspects of the wide reforms introduced by the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) in order to bring it more into tune with modernity.
Apart from the language, the modern mass brought other changes, such as having the priest face the congregation, instead of standing with his back to worshippers as he did before.
The return of the Latin mass may open the way for the Society of Pius X, the group founded by Lefebvre, to be drawn back into the fold, analysts speculated.
Experts also noted however that much will depend on the details of the document and the accompanying letter containing instructions to bishops on how to apply the new openness.
