Kottayam (Kerala)/ New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): The passing of Pope Francis, a beloved and inspiring spiritual leader, not only of the Catholic Church, but for all Christians, is indeed a sorrowful event Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Mathews III who is the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church or the Indian Orthodox Church said on Monday.

'We share in the grief of the Catholic Church, which has lost a great shepherd,' he said.

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III shared memories of his meeting with the Pope in 2023.

'The first thing I remember in this context is my meeting with the Pope in 2023. He called me 'beloved, long-awaited brother.' It was a warm experience of love and affection, like being at home. On that day, the Pope, while speaking of the unity of the Church that began with the Second Vatican Council, mentioned the meeting between Baselios Augen I and Saint Paul VI, and the meeting between Marthoma Mathews I and Saint John Paul II. The words of the Pope on that occasion still resonate in my mind: 'The faith of Saint Thomas was inseparable from the experience of the wounds of the body of Christ. The divisions that have occurred among us Christians throughout history are painful wounds inflicted on the body of Christ, which is the Church.''

The head of the Indian Orthodox Church further said that among the many things that have made the venerable Pope immortal in his memory are the many missions he carried out for Christian unity. 'The Pope was always a messenger of such unity. He always spoke in praise of the unity of Christian brothers and sisters,' the prelate said in his message that was posted on his Facebook page.

The Metropolitan in his statement said he recalled the Fifth Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Churches Meeting held in February this year where in his welcome address, the Pope spoke mainly about the importance of unity. Along with those from Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean churches, young priests and monks from the Malankara Church participated in the meeting.

'The Malankara Orthodox Church remembers the Pope's address with pride. He specifically mentioned similar study visits held in the Armenian Church and the Malankara Orthodox Church. He also expressed gratitude for such various meetings of an exchange nature. The Pope's words were in homage to the unity that brings together the dialogues of mercy and the dialogues of truth,' he said.

'The Pope's journey as the head of the Catholic Church was to create springs of humanity that Christ taught through his life. Therefore, the Pope, a philanthropist, has no death in his mind. His stance on the modern slave of human trafficking is just one example of his thoughts for others. The Pope did not see human trafficking as a sign of mere profiteering. He sought a way out by evaluating it as a consequence of global phenomena ranging from war and famine to climate change. The Pope's call was for worldwide preventive actions and responses against human trafficking,' he added.

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.'

'One of the glorious leaders in the ranks of the Christian churches has faded with the Pope's departure. But the light of his visions will remain throughout the world.' the head of the Indian Orthodox Church said.

Mar Demetrios, President, Department of Ecumenical Relations, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church said, 'The Church sincerely expresses its profound grief at the passing away of His Holiness.'

'Pope Francis' life was characterised by humility and a dedication for pastoral care that was the hallmark of His Holiness' ministry. His embracing of all Christians was a tribute to His ecumenism, opening doors for dialogue and engagement with all Churches and denominations.'

'The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will deeply experience a void for Pope Francis was a specially close friend and a person who was close to His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III,' Mar Demetrios said.

Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta after a prolonged illness.

Earlier on Sunday, the Pope delivered his Easter message from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to thousands of people gathered in Vatican Square.

The 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church was recently discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent five weeks receiving treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.

On Easter Sunday, he was able to offer the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing to the city of Rome and to the world. Only the pope can offer this blessing, which includes the offer of an indulgence, a remission for the effects of sins.

He dedicated the Easter Urbi et Orbi message to calling for peace worldwide, global disarmament, and the release of prisoners. (ANI)