From correspondents in Rome, Italy, 11:08 PM IST

Pope Benedict XVI Tuesday reaffirmed his conservative views on matters of faith by issuing strict rules on the Eucharist and by inviting priests to revive Latin as the main language used during Holy Mass.

In an apostolic exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis, the pope summed up the results of an October 2005 Synod of Bishops on the importance of the sacrament, in which Jesus Christ's Last Supper is commemorated through consecrated bread and wine during Holy Mass.

In his 140-page document, Benedict reiterated his strong opposition to remarried Catholics and non-Catholic Christians taking part in the Eucharist and invited priests to refrain from celebrating the sacrament during weddings or funerals attended by non-practising Catholics.

German-born Joseph Ratzinger also reached out to traditionalists by inviting priests to celebrate Holy Mass in Latin.

'I ask that future priests ... be trained to understand and celebrate Holy Mass in Latin, use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chants,' the pope wrote.

The 79-year-old pontiff also confirmed that Protestants should no be allowed to consume consecrated bread and wine with Catholics.

'The Eucharist does not simply manifest our personal communion with Jesus Christ, it also implies full communion with the (Catholic) Church. This is the reason why with pain, but not without hope, we ask non-Catholic Christians to understand and respect our conviction,' the pope wrote.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)