Chaldean Patriarch Calls for Pope’s Engagement with Eastern Churches on Tradition and Political Support

The Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, emphasized the importance of the Pope finding “good people” to guide his engagement with Eastern Churches during a meeting with Pope Leo XIV. This exchange occurred during an audience with Eastern Catholics from the Eastern Catholic Churches in union with Rome, who gathered at the Vatican for their Jubilee pilgrimage on 14 May. The meeting highlighted the need for greater collaboration between the papacy and Eastern Churches, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by these communities.

The Pope affirmed the universal Church’s commitment to “cherish” the traditions of Eastern Christians. Cardinal Sako expressed hope that Pope Leo would engage openly with Eastern Catholics, visiting their historic homelands and meeting with their patriarchs regularly to discuss “our difficult situation and our future.” This call for increased interaction aligns with broader calls from within the Church for more collaboration between the papacy and Eastern Churches.

Cardinal Sako also highlighted the need for political support from the Pope, especially in the Middle East, where the number of Eastern Christians has declined significantly over the past two decades. Despite this decline, he noted that these communities still have a “vocation.” He urged the Pope to advocate for the protection of human rights and the dignity of individuals, emphasizing the importance of freedom in the region.

In addition to spiritual support, the patriarch reported speaking with Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches. Gugerotti promised to “take care of our Churches,” focusing on the protection and preservation of their patrimony. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the “unity and integrity of the faith.”

During his address to members of the Eastern Churches, Pope Leo emphasized the need for Latin bishops to support the diaspora of Eastern Catholics living in their dioceses. He called for measures to help these communities preserve their traditions. The Pope also acknowledged the immense contribution that the Christian East can offer, stating that “who better than you can sing a song of hope even amid the abyss of violence?”

John Adam Fox, chairman of the charity Fellowship and Aid to the Christians of the East (FACE), welcomed Pope Leo’s statements. He noted that Eastern Catholic Churches, often referred to as Martyr Churches, could serve as a source of inspiration for the West through their tradition, loyal witness, and self-sacrifice. Fox also suggested that these communities could play a vital role in the Pope’s future peace-making efforts in the Middle East, given their long history of peaceful coexistence in multi-faith societies.

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