congratulate His Beatitude Maphrian Mor Baselius Joseph on his enthronement as Maphrian of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and church bodies and institutions congratulate His Beatitude Maphrian Mor Baselius Joseph on his enthronement as Maphrian of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India by His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.

On the evening of Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in a solemn and historic spiritual event, our Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch celebrated the ordination of His Beatitude Mar Baselios Joseph as the new Maphriono (Catholicos) of India through the laying on of hands of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches. The consecration took place at the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, in Atchaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon. His Holiness was assisted by Their Eminences Archbishops, members of the Holy General Synod of our Church.

During the ritual, His Holiness sat on his throne in front of the altar while the elected Maphriono, Mor Gregorius Joseph, was brought forward, surrounded by all the archbishops on both sides. Metropolitan Joseph read the "Shalmoutho," proclaiming the Orthodox faith and pledging to uphold, teach, and safeguard it along with all apostolic laws, as well as to preserve the dignity of the Maphrionoutho. At the conclusion, the elected Maphriono presented the "Shalmoutho" to the Patriarch. His Holiness then silently prayed the invocation of the Holy Spirit and placed his right hand on the head of Metropolitan Joseph, ordaining him as the Maphriono of the Holy and Blessed Church of Antioch in India under the name Mar Baselios Joseph, sealing him with the sign of the cross on his forehead in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Afterward, the new Maphriono was seated on the throne facing the west and was lifted and carried three times as the congregation proclaimed, "Worthy (Axios), our Father Mor Baselios!" His Beatitude then read the text of the Good Shepherd from the Holy Gospel according to John. Following this, His Holiness raised the Maphriono from the throne and stood him before the altar, presenting him with the pastoral staff, along with all the archbishops who participated, each according to their turn. In conclusion, His Holiness and the archbishops offered the new Maphriono the kiss of peace before he blessed the congregation with the staff in his hand.

His Holiness Pope Francis is continuing with treatment, physical therapy, and concelebrating Mass at his residence of Casa Santa Marta, the Holy See Press Office noted on Tuesday as it provided updates to journalists on the Holy Father's recovery. The Press Office also said the Pope continues some work activities, but is not currently receiving visitors, and that no decisions have been made regarding his schedule for the weeks to come.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis' convalescence continues at his residence of Casa Santa Marta with his continued treatment, mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, especially for voice recovery, personal prayer, and concelebrating Mass in the residence's chapel.

On March 25, 2025, on the occasion of the Feast of the Souboro (Annunciation), His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Mary Church Mother of God in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.

On March 24, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, on behalf of the Syriac Orthodox Church, hosted an official dinner at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh in honor of His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.

On March 24, 2025, on the occasion of the Feast of the Suboro (Annunciation), His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, consecrated of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.

On March 24, 2025, after the consecration of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, inaugurated the garden of the church, under the name of the thrice Blessed Arcbhishop Mor Philoxenus Matta Chamoun.

On March 24, 2025, after the consecration of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, inaugurated the new hall of the church, under the name of “George Hanna Mansour Hall”.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 24 and 25, a momentous occasion of profound spiritual significance, commemorating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Savior of the World. In Nazareth, the very site of this sacred encounter, the faithful from across the Galilee gather each year to partake in spiritual and communal celebrations—a time of renewal, joy, and unity in faith.

Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 

Dear brothers and sisters,  
may the Lord give you peace! 

This year, too, we have come to the feet of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, our Mother and the Mother of the Church. And as to every mother, we bring here our expectations, our fears and our need for consolation. We know that God is the source of consolation and that we must look to Him. Only in Him can we base our faith, especially in this very difficult time for us and the whole world 

Instead of moving towards a context of encounter, instead of looking for ways and solutions for a perspective of peaceful coexistence, we see barriers of fear, mistrust, hatred and bitterness everywhere. And here in our Holy Land, we must continue to mourn our dead, the many wounds that worry our hearts, our families and our communities. We are tired of having to keep repeating this realization. But it is unavoidable not to think about what is happening around us. 

From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On the third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, 10th/23rd March 2025, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the veneration of the Precious Cross, so that through its power, we may continue our struggle in the fast in preparation for the reception of the Holy Pascha.
This feast, being located in the middle of the Holy and Great Lenten period, was celebrated at the place where the immaculate feet of the Lord stood, and where His Precious Blood was shed for the salvation of the world. The celebration was led by is Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in accordance with the Status Quo and the formal arrangements of the Patriarchate, in a service of “parrhesia” with the Great Vespers in the evening at the Katholikon and the Divine Liturgy in the morning at the Holy Sepulchre.

From March 20 to 23, 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, embarked on an official visit to Bahrain. This visit aimed to strengthen the Christian presence in the region and reinforce the values of interfaith dialogue in a country that has long been a model for religious coexistence.

Warm Reception

Upon his arrival at Bahrain International Airport, Cardinal Pizzaballa was greeted by His Excellency Bishop Aldo Beradi, O.SS.T., the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Fr. Sliman Hifawi, a priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem serving in Bahrain, along with a delegation of local priests and representatives from the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. The warm welcome reflected Bahrain's spirit of religious harmony.

His Holiness Pope Francis appears for the first time since his hospitalization from the balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, before leaving the facility where he had been since 14 February. He greeted those present, imparted his blessing and gave the 'thumbs up' to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital.

On the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the Iftar banquet hosted by Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, Sheikh al-Aql of the Druze community, at the Druze Community House in Beirut.

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, will celebrate the Holy Mass in the Memory of Late Archbishop Mor Athanasius Matti MATTOKA, on Tuesday March 25, 2025, 09:00 a.m., at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church, Patriarchal See, Beirut.

His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to be discharged from hospital on Sunday, 23 March. He will return to Casa Santa Marta after the Angelus, during which he will greet and bless the faithful from a window of the Gemelli Hospital at noon.

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday and he will return to his residence in the Vatican to continue his convalescence.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday evening, Doctor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team that has been treating the Pope for an acute respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia said “The good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta.”

The Holy See Press Office announces His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to appear after 12pm to greet the crowd outside Gemelli.

By Vatican News

On Saturday morning, the Holy See Press Office announced the Pope is planning to greet the crowd outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital and give his blessing on Sunday, March 23, shortly after 12pm. The statement said the text of the Angelus will be shared as it has been the last few weeks.

On March 21, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the morning prayer at Mor Severius Church in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

While the His Holiness Pope Francis’s condition continues to be stable, the Holy See Press Office explains “the doctors have not yet given any indication regarding his discharge from the hospital.”

By Vatican News

On Friday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the following update on Pope Francis’ health:

“At night, he no longer uses mechanical ventilation with a mask but receives high-flow oxygenation through nasal cannulas, and during the day, he increasingly uses less high-flow oxygen.”

On the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the official Iftar banquet invited by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon.