He maintained the move was done out of devotion to the papacy rather than defiance.
"But it is precisely because we love the pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the church, that we don’t want to see the pope humiliated any more, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions," said Pagliarani.
An estimated 16,500 traditionalist followers attended the rain-slicked outdoor Mass. The event was livestreamed globally and featured commemorative merchandise.
"I don’t think it’s going to scare any of us. Me, I’m not scared," said Arlina Onglao, a 71-year-old travel agent from the Philippines.
"I feel like I’m on a safer road to heaven."
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The Vatican did not issue an immediate statement regarding the event. The official implementation of the automatic excommunications remained unconfirmed on Wednesday night.
