His Holiness Mar Awa III and Pope Leo XIV meet to progress Christian Unity
The Leader of the Assyrian Church of the East met in a private audience with the Pope, where they discussed unity between the Catholic Church and Assyrian Church of the East. Australia’s Archbishop, His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM was among the entourage of Eastern Christian Leaders.
In a historical first meeting, Pope Leo XIV received His Holiness Mar Awa III, the Catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East, on Monday, October 27 2025
The Assyrian Church of the East (also known as the Church of the East or Nestorian Church) is an Eastern Christian church that originated in the first century AD, founded by the apostle Thomas together with St. Mari and St. Addai. It officially separated from other branches of Christianity in 424, establishing its doctrinal and ecclesiastical autonomy. Its headquarters are located in Ankawa, Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, and it has about 400,000 members.
May we continue this pilgrimage strengthened by the prayers of all the saints of our Churches, especially Saint Isaac of Nineveh….may Christians in the Middle East always bear faithful witness to the risen Christ, and may our dialogue hasten the blessed day when we will celebrate together at the same altar, sharing in the same Body and Blood of our Saviour, “so that the world may believe” (Jn 17:21). Pope Leo XIV.
For the Address of Pope Leo XIV to His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, and his entourage, please read the full article: Pope Leo XIV receives the leader of the Assyrian Church of the East and tells him what the challenge is for unity between the two churches | ZENIT – English | 27 October 2025