Catholicos describes Pope Francis as one of the most radiant voices in Christian leadership
Describing Pope Francis as 'one of the most radiant voices in Christian leadership,' Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, has offered his tribute to the late pontiff.
Remembering his association with Pope Francis, the Catholicos also recalled his personal encounter with the Pope in 2023 during a visit to Vatican. 'During that meeting, Pope Francis addressed the Catholicos as 'a beloved one' and 'a brother long awaited,'' he said.
In their conversation, Pope Francis spoke about the journey of ecclesial unity, which had gained renewed momentum with the Second Vatican Council, while also recalling the historic meetings between Baselios Augen I and Pope Paul VI and between Mar Thoma Mathews I and Pope John Paul II.
'His words from that day remain with me still. He told me that the wounds inflicted by the divisions among Christians throughout history were painful gashes in the Body of Christ and that the St. Thomas's faith could not be separated from the experience of those wounds.'
In February 2025, the Catholicos met Pope Francis once again, this time during the fifth Catholic–Eastern Orthodox ecclesial gathering convened under the auspices of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. The meeting held special significance as it coincided with the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
On value of unity
'When receiving participants, including young clergy from the Malankara Church, as well as representatives from the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Churches, Pope Francis emphasised the value of unity,' the Catholicos said. 'He also acknowledged with gratitude the ecumenical exchange visits between the Armenian and Malankara Orthodox Churches.'
The prelate praised the Pope's enduring commitment to issues of global significance, particularly his stance on human trafficking and the plight of refugees. 'His position on human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, was emblematic of his profound concern for the suffering of others,' the Catholicos said. 'Pope Francis did not view trafficking merely as a manifestation of greed, but as a tragic outcome of broader global crises such as war, famine, and climate change.'
Prophet of human dignity
The Catholicos pointed out that even the letter signed by Pope Francis just before his hospitalisation bore the same signature of compassion. In that message, the Pope extended his support to the American Catholic Church's efforts to defend the rights of refugees and migrants. 'At a time when Church leaders in the United States were standing up against deportation efforts targeting asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, Pope Francis, through his words and witness, stood beside them, emerging as a prophet of universal human dignity.'
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