SW News:

Pope Francis greeted His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the Catholicos of the East and Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church during a visit to the Vatican on Monday.

In his speech, Pope Francis thanked them for their deepening friendship since the Second Vatican Council and drew attention to the previous encounters between their respective predecessors.

In his response, the Catholicos highlighted the significance of dialogue, reflected on the teachings of Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli Tutti, and extended heartfelt invitations for further collaboration and understanding between the two Churches.

The Holy Father expressed optimism for unity while recognizing the ancient faith of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, tracing its origins to the Apostle Thomas, and emphasizing the shared trust in Jesus as Lord and God. The Holy Father observed that Saint Thomas' experience of the wounds on the Body of Christ was inextricably linked to his faith. “The conflicts that have arisen between Christians throughout history have caused the Church, the Body of Christ, to suffer grievous wounds. We ourselves are still experiencing their impacts,” he said.

Pope Francis also acknowledged the need for Christians to come together to repair the scars inflicted by earlier disputes.

The Holy Father continued by referencing the historic Christological consensus of the Joint International Commission and stressing that terminology should not be a barrier to the proclamation of Christ. He recalled how the Declaration admirably states that these differences can coexist in the same communion, “especially when we proclaim Christ to our brothers and sisters around the world in terms that they can more easily understand.”

Pope Francis said the value of synodality and how the Malankara Orthodox Church's synodal experience influenced the synodal process of the Catholic Church.

"I am convinced that we can learn much from the age-old synodal experience of your Church," the Holy Father said.