Pope Leo XIV and Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III Royel renew ecumenical dialogue emphasizing synodality

Pope Leo XIV met with His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, along with members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. This meeting marked a renewed phase of theological cooperation and mutual understanding between the two ancient Churches. The encounter took place amid the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Common Christological Declaration, a pivotal document signed by Pope John Paul II and Mar Dinkha IV that resolved long-standing disputes over the nature of Christ and paved the way for sacramental recognition.

In his address, Pope Leo emphasized that the presence of the Patriarch and the Commission “bear witness to the fact that fraternal encounter and theological dialogue are mutually constitutive elements on the path toward unity.” He described the “dialogue of truth” as an expression of the love already uniting the Churches, while also noting that the “dialogue of charity” must be understood in a theological light. The Pope praised the Commission’s ongoing work and reaffirmed that the two communities have “faithfully followed the mandate and methodology established by our predecessors.”

A new focus for the dialogue is now emerging, namely, the constitution of the Church. Pope Leo stated that the key challenge lies in developing “a model of full communion inspired by the first millennium, while thoughtfully responding to the challenges of our time.” He made clear that such unity must avoid “absorption or domination,” instead fostering an exchange of spiritual gifts. This approach reflects a commitment to mutual respect and the recognition of each Church’s distinct traditions.

At the heart of his message was an affirmation that “on this journey toward full communion, synodality presents itself as a promising path forward.” Quoting Pope Francis’ Final Document of the Synod on Synodality, he reminded the gathering that “the journey of synodality undertaken by the Catholic Church is and must be ecumenical, just as the ecumenical journey is synodal.” This emphasis on synodality aligns with the broader Catholic vision of a Church that listens and walks together with others in pursuit of shared goals.

Looking ahead, Pope Leo expressed hope that the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, to be commemorated in 2025, will “inspire new ‘ecumenical synodal practices’ among all Christians.” He invoked the intercession of saints venerated by both traditions — particularly Saint Isaac of Nineveh — asking that Christians in the Middle East “bear faithful witness to Christ.” The Pope also expressed hope that dialogue might hasten “the blessed day when we will celebrate together at the same altar.”

The Assyrian Church of the East, historically separated from Rome since the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, has been engaged in productive theological conversations with the Catholic Church since the 1990s. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to exploring the path of unity while honoring the distinct identities of both Churches. The ongoing dialogue underscores the importance of mutual respect, theological inquiry, and the pursuit of a deeper understanding of Christ’s nature and the Church’s mission.

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