Pope Francis denounced “the temptation to liturgical formalism” in a May 7 address to the Pontifical Liturgical Institute.

The Pontiff accused traditionalists of “distancing themselves from the Church, questioning the Council,” in pursuit of a liturgical celebration that is “something without life, without joy.” He said that “closed mindsets use liturgical matters to defend their own point of view.”

“When liturgical life becomes something of a banner of division, there is the odor of the devil, the deceiver, in there,” the Pope said.