Pope Francis met the pilgrims of ‘Syro Malabar Youth Leaders Conference’ on June 18 at Rome. In his meeting, the Pope encouraged the youth leaders to follow Jesus, ‘walking in his path of love’ and to live by the example set by Mother Mary. Accompanied by Cardinal George Alencherry, youth leaders from the various Syro Malabar eparchies in the diaspora came to Rome.
This year, the Syro Malabar Church marks the 1950th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas and the Pontiff reminded the youth that ‘the Church is founded on the testimony of the apostles and grows by witness.’ He also emphasized on the role of elders by quoting “If you, young people, want to make your own lives a canticle of praise, a gift for all humanity, you must be grounded in the tradition and prayer of past generations.”
Apart from Syro- Malankara Catholic Church, the Syro Malabar Church is one of the two Eastern Catholic Churches to be in full communion with the Pope. Founded by St. Thomas, the Syro Malabar Church houses most of its population in the state of Kerala.
