“Lights in Our World”: Pope Leo XIV’s Message to the Eastern Catholic Churches in the USA and Beyond
Introduction
Eastern Catholic Churches in the USA are a vibrant part of the Catholic communion, deeply rooted in ancient traditions and spiritual depth. On May 14, 2025, Pope Leo XIV addressed the participants in the Jubilee of Oriental Churches with a powerful message of unity, hope, and cultural preservation. His speech underlined the importance of the Eastern Catholic diaspora, especially in the West, where the richness of their liturgy and spirituality faces the challenge of integration and continuity.
For American Catholics seeking to understand Eastern traditions, this address offers both spiritual insight and practical encouragement. It’s also a call to Latin-rite Catholics and bishops to actively support their Eastern brothers and sisters.
The Heart of the Message: A Call to Honor and Preserve Eastern Catholic Identity
Pope Leo XIV opened with a joyful Easter greeting, echoing the familiar words: “Christ is risen. He is truly risen!” — a phrase cherished across Eastern Catholic liturgy in the USA. He reminded the faithful of the unique spiritual treasures that Eastern Catholic Churches offer: ancient monasticism, mystagogy, divine liturgy, fasting, intercession, and synodality.
The Pope highlighted the challenges faced by many Eastern Catholics in America, often descendants of immigrants or refugees who fled war and persecution. As generations settle in the U.S., there is a real risk of losing traditional Eastern Catholic practices, especially when local communities are small or dispersed.
Pope Leo XIV’s Vision for Eastern Catholics in the Diaspora
The Holy Father emphasized three priorities for supporting Eastern Catholics, particularly in places like the United States:
1. Create and Sustain Eastern Catholic Circumscriptions
Wherever possible, new eparchies and parishes should be created to ensure that Eastern Catholics can practice their liturgies and customs without dilution.
2. Educate Latin-Rite Bishops and Communities
The Pope urged the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches to define clear principles so that Latin bishops across the U.S. can support Eastern Catholics in the diaspora, helping them maintain their spiritual traditions rather than assimilating fully into Roman Catholic practice.
3. Combat Cultural Erosion
In an age of consumerism and individualism, Pope Leo XIV warned against weakening ancient traditions for convenience. Instead, he called for the preservation of authentic Eastern Catholic spirituality, which offers healing, awe, and depth.
Why Eastern Catholic Churches Matter in the USA Today
How to find an Eastern Catholic Church near me is a question many American Catholics ask when seeking a deeper, more mystical form of worship. From Byzantine to Maronite parishes, these communities maintain a profound sense of liturgical beauty and theological insight.
Pope Leo’s message reaffirmed that these churches are not peripheral, but central to the universal Church’s mission. He recalled the words of Pope Leo XIII, who more than a century ago decreed that no Latin clergy should pressure Eastern Catholics to convert to the Roman Rite — a principle still vital today.
Eastern vs. Roman Catholic Churches: Complementarity, Not Competition
The Pope’s remarks also help clarify the differences between Eastern and Roman Catholic Churches:
Liturgy: Eastern rites often use ancient languages (like Aramaic or Greek) and emphasize mysticism and symbolism.
Spirituality: Eastern Catholics highlight fasting, intercession, and inner transformation (Penthos).
Governance: Eastern Churches are synodal, with strong communal decision-making rooted in centuries-old traditions.
Rather than divide, these differences enrich the whole Church. Pope Leo XIV stressed that the Christian East has much to teach the West, especially about mystery, beauty, and communal prayer.
A Message of Peace from the East
The Pope did not ignore the ongoing suffering of many Eastern communities, mentioning conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Caucasus. Yet, he asked: “Who better than you can sing a song of hope amid the abyss of violence?” This was not just a rhetorical flourish — it was a deep recognition of the resilience of Eastern Catholics.
He invoked the example of Eastern martyrs and called all Catholics to pray for a peace that heals and reconciles, rather than silencing dissent.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for American Catholics
For Catholics in the U.S., supporting Eastern Catholic Churches is not optional — it’s essential. Whether by attending a Divine Liturgy, encouraging inter-parish cooperation, or learning about Eastern Catholic traditions in the United States, the time to act is now.
Pope Leo XIV concluded with a powerful blessing, urging Eastern Churches to remain “lights in our world.” American Catholics, both Eastern and Latin, are called to receive that light and reflect it into a world in need of mystery, beauty, and peace.
