Kiss Of Peace

KISS OF PEACE

BASIC R.C. BELIEF A ceremony during Mass when the clergy exchange Christian greetings.

Also included in this part of Roman Catholic theology is kissing the Pope’s foot, a ceremony borrowed from the Persian Court and continued over 1000 years (CATHOLIC DICTIONARY OF THEOLOGY, Vol. III, p. 187). Some theologians use Isaiah 49:23 as a warrant for this practice.

POST VATICAN II In the New Mass, this is called the Rite of Peace. Besides greetings among the clergy, members of the congregation exchange wishes of peace and love in words an gestures of their own choosing. This indiscriminate greeting is claimed by Traditionalists as proof of the invalidity of the New Mass.

Kissing the Pope’s foot has been discontinued.