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Pope Leo’s address to pilgrims of the Syro-Malankaran Catholic Church in Europe
Clementine Hall – Monday, 15 June 2026
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Your Beatitude, Your Excellencies,
Dear priests, consecrated men and women,
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am pleased to welcome this significant delegation from the Syro-Malankara Church to the first convention of your clergy and faithful residing in Europe.
Today, your Major Archbishop, Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, turns 67.
Happy birthday, Your Beatitude!
I also extend my congratulations in anticipation of your Episcopal Silver Jubilee in August.
The festivities began yesterday with a special celebration here in Rome.
I would also like to extend particular greetings to Bishop Kuriakose Mar Osthathios, the recently appointed Apostolic Visitator to the Syro-Malankara faithful residing in Europe, who organized this convention.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I understand that your entire sui iuris Church is embarking on an intense, multi-year journey of spiritual renewal in preparation for its centenary.
As we have just entered the 95th year since the establishment of your hierarchy by the apostolic constitution Christo Pastorum Principi of Pope Pius XI on June 11, 1932, I wish to recall the words of my illustrious predecessor, which open with gratitude to Christ the Chief Shepherd.
Like Pope Pius XI, we too “render the most humble and fervent thanks” to God for Venerable Mar Ivanios.
Together with Mar Theophilos, he guided several priests, as well as a good number of faithful men and women, including those from the Bethany Congregations, to rediscover ecclesial communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter.
This communion is a vital part of living the Christian faith.
The first Syro-Malankara Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum was indeed a true shepherd after the heart of Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit in leading God’s flock.
He beautifully exemplified the “great desire for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,” of which I spoke at the Solemn Mass for the inauguration of my pontificate.
Even as a young priest, Mar Ivanios saw the need to recover the dynamism of the good seed planted in India by the preaching and martyrdom of Saint Thomas the Apostle, looking far beyond the borders of his Christian community in Kerala.
He insisted that missionary work should not be done with words alone but through virtuous living and genuine charitable service.
For this reason, since its inception, your church has been a beacon of evangelical energy and apostolic charity. It has brought social justice, education, and integral human development to those on the margins of society.
As my venerable predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, said, this is how the Gospel spreads: “by ‘attraction’: just as Christ ‘draws all to himself’ by the power of his love, culminating in the sacrifice of the Cross.”
Thus, the Syro-Malankara Church quickly began to grow beyond ethnic and linguistic limits, initially in Tamil Nadu, as a result of an evangelization effort dating back to 1934.
These vibrant Syro-Malankara Catholic communities have flourished thanks to the dedication of the hierarchy and the consecrated women of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary.
I encourage the Synod of Bishops and the religious institutes of your church to demonstrate a similar commitment to the more recently established jurisdictions in India, particularly the expansive eparchies of Saint Ephrem of Khadki and Saint John Chrysostom of Gurgaon.
A future candidate is coming forward here.
At the same time, an equally urgent commitment is required to preserve and promote the invaluable treasures embodied by all the Eastern Churches, especially in the growing diaspora.
As I mentioned during your Jubilee, which occurred just a few days after my papal election, this commitment is particularly important.
In this vein, recognizing the presence of numerous Syro-Malankara faithful in North America, Pope Benedict XVI established an apostolic exarchate for them in the United States.
Ten years ago, my venerable predecessor Pope Francis raised the Exarchate to the rank of Eparchy and extended the care of the Eparchial Bishop to all the Syro-Malankara faithful in Canada.
With similar intentions, I appointed the first full-time Apostolic Visitator for the Syro-Malankara Catholics throughout Europe, His Excellency Mar Osthathios, in the first year of my pontificate.
He is responsible for surveying the current state of pastoral care and making proposals to local bishops and the Holy See for the spiritual well-being of the faithful.
In this regard, I have asked the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches to help me establish principles, norms, and guidelines through which Latin bishops can support Eastern Catholics in the diaspora in preserving their traditions.
In doing so, they can enrich the communities in which they live through their distinctive witness.
The same Curial Institution will help me determine the most effective ways to lay firm and lasting foundations so that future generations of Syro-Malankara faithful can continue to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ by engaging with their unique traditions, thereby benefiting the Catholic Church as a whole.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I ask all of you to promote a greater awareness of the precious identity of the Syro-Malankara Church and of your identification with it.
Do this by participating in its ecclesial life, experiencing your unique heritage, and remaining united to the Major Archbishop and Synod of Bishops, while being aware of your great dignity.
The Saint Thomas Christians of India are well-known for their devout families, many of whom have vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I pray that your homes and hearts continue to thrive with strong faith, particularly among the young.
I gladly impart the Apostolic Blessing, invoking abundant graces from Almighty God upon all those who join in celebrating this joyful occasion with you. May you follow Christ ever more closely every day and become messengers of hope to all!
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace; Saint Thomas the Apostle; and all your holy patrons, especially the venerable Mar Ivanios, intercede for you!
Thank you very much.
