Kottayam, April 21 -- The passing of Pope Francis, a beloved and inspiring spiritual leader, not only of the Catholic Church, but for all Christians, is indeed a sorrowful event Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Mathews III who is the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church or the Indian Orthodox Church said on Monday.

"We share in the grief of the Catholic Church, which has lost a great shepherd," he said.

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III shared memories of his meeting with the Pope in 2023.

"The first thing I remember in this context is my meeting with the Pope in 2023. He called me 'beloved, long-awaited brother.' It was a warm experience of love and affection, like being at home. On that day, the Pope, while speaking of the unity of...