A delicate diplomacy has been maintained between the Vatican and the traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) for 50 years. But now Pope Leo has expelled them from the Church. Tony Wilson explains what happened and how it might be resolved Source: Wikimedia and SSPX Father Davide Pagliarani, Superior Leader of the SSPX, and Pope Leo II, Leader of the Catholic Church Often regarded as a monolithic institution, the Catholic Church is, in reality, a communion of many local churches.