'Close relationship with Archdiocese of Verapoly'; Pope Leo XIV's iconic Kochi visit

KOCHI: The new Pope Leo XIV, who preserves the legacy of the Augustinian Order, which led the Udayamperoor Synod that initiated the reformation of the Indian Christian Church, has visited Kerala twice.

Robert Francis Prevost, the then Superior General of the Augustinian Order, came to Kochi between 2004 and 2006. He officiated the ordination ceremony of new priests in the Augustinian Order. The ceremony was held on April 22, 2004, at the St. Francis Xavier Church in Kaloor. Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil of Varappuzha was the chief celebrant.

Robert Francis Prevost stayed at the seminary of the church and visited the Kollam and Thalappuzha areas of Wayanad besides Kochi. In 2006, he came to visit various institutions of the Augustinian Church.

It was Synod of Udayamperoor that brought the community of Nazarene Christians closer to the Catholic Church. The Synod was organized from June 20 to 26, 1599, at Udayamperoor near Tripunithura, by Alexios Menezes, an Augustinian and Archbishop of Goa. Leo XIV is a successor of the Augustinian clan.

Like his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo XIV leads a simple life and is known for his love and compassion for the poor and the underprivileged.

Archbishop Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil confirmed the new Pope Franis’s close relationship with the Archdiocese of Varappuzha. The Latin Church also has a long-standing close relationship with the Augustinian Church.

Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil believes that the new head of the Catholic Church will visit Kerala soon.