Elmont, New York – 27 April 2025
In a spirit of solemn reverence and communal prayer, the St. Mary, Queen of Peace Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy in USA and Canada came together on Sunday, 27 April 2025, to honour the memory and mission of His Holiness Pope Francis, the 266th Successor of St Peter. The memorial, held at St. Vincent De Paul Syro-Malankara Catholic Cathedral in Elmont, New York, was a deeply moving testament to the late Holy Father’s profound impact on the Church and the world.
The day began with the celebration of the Holy Qurbono (Divine Liturgy) at 10:00 AM, presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mor Stephanos, the Eparchial Bishop. In this sacred liturgy, offered in thanksgiving for the life and witness of Pope Francis, the faithful gave voice to their gratitude and grief, as incense rose heavenward bearing the prayers of a Church in mourning—yet full of hope.
Remembering a Shepherd of Mercy and Simplicity
Pope Francis, who returned to the Father’s house on 21 April 2025, is remembered globally as the Pope who walked with the poor, the Pontiff of bridges, and the voice of the marginalised. His beatific witness to Gospel values—marked by simplicity, authenticity, and courage—was especially resonant within the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, a sui iuris Church that he held in deep fraternal affection.
Bishop Philipos Mor Stephanos, in his homily during the Divine Liturgy, reflected on this sacred bond. He spoke of the late Pope’s “pastoral heart, tireless humility, and unwavering commitment to unity,” noting that “Pope Francis reminded the Church that Christ walks with the broken, and therefore the Church must too.”
A Gathering of Faiths, A Testimony of Unity
Following the Holy Qurbono, a Memorial Prayer Meeting took place in the Cathedral Hall. The lighting of the ceremonial lamp signalled the start of the commemoration, representing Christ—the Light of the World—and the enduring illumination that Pope Francis brought to the hearts of the faithful across the globe.
The event, both intimate and ecumenical in character, was graced by the presence of hierarchs and leaders from different Christian traditions, reflecting Pope Francis’ deep ecumenical commitment.
- His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mor Stephanos offered a deeply personal message, remembering Pope Francis as “a father to all the Churches… a shepherd who lived with the smell of the sheep, and a man who believed that even the smallest voice mattered.”
- His Excellency Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, delivered a stirring tribute. “Though our traditions differ, we weep together today,” he said. “Pope Francis stood for bridges, not walls. And his love for Eastern Christianity was real and lived.”
- Bishop Johncy Itty, retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, honoured the Holy Father’s commitment to justice, charity, and Christian unity. “He made it easier for us to speak of fraternity,” said Bishop Itty, “because he lived it.”
Prayer and Fellowship: A Malankara Spirit of Communion
The prayer meeting concluded with intercessions offered for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and for the Church he guided with such gentle strength. The faithful—clergy, religious, and laity—joined their hearts in unity, giving thanks for the life of a Pope who showed that holiness is not remote, but radically present in mercy.
Mrs. Rincy Baby, Secretary of the Eparchial Pastoral Council, offered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all who made the event a prayerful and dignified tribute. Her words were simple but rich: “We do not only remember Pope Francis today—we carry him with us.”
Following the programme, lunch was served, offering space for fellowship, memory-sharing, and quiet conversations filled with gratitude.
An Enduring Legacy of Hope
As the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in North America gathers in remembrance, we, the faithful, acknowledge that Pope Francis’ memory is more than an event to be marked—it is a challenge to be embraced. His emphasis on synodality, compassion, environmental care (Laudato Si’), and closeness to the people have shaped the conscience of a generation of Catholics.
To the Syro-Malankara Church, which flourishes in communion with the Bishop of Rome while rooted in the rich West Syriac tradition, Pope Francis was not merely the Roman Pontiff; he was the elder brother who invited all to walk together, to listen, and to live the Gospel as a call to love.
Our Prayer as the Malankara Church
As His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos said in his own reflection shortly after the Pope’s passing: “Pope Francis taught us that humility is strength, and mercy is the true language of heaven. May we be faithful to the Gospel he embodied with his life.”
We, the Syro-Malankara Catholic faithful of the Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, give thanks to God for Pope Francis—a friend of the East, a herald of dialogue, and a man whose very papacy reminded us to never grow tired of goodness.
May his soul find rest in the arms of the Good Shepherd, and may his memory inspire us all to continue the work of building a Church of compassion, courage, and Christ-like love.
Eternal memory, O Shepherd of Rome. Your light lives on.
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