From May 12 to 14, the heart of the Catholic world—Rome—becomes a vibrant mosaic of Eastern Christian traditions as the Vatican hosts the Jubilee of the Eastern Catholic Churches. This landmark event brings together faithful and clergy from across the globe to celebrate their distinct liturgical identities in communion with the Pope.

The Jubilee features a series of Divine Liturgies in a wide array of Eastern rites, providing a powerful witness to the spiritual, theological, and cultural richness of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches that are in full communion with Rome, yet maintain their unique ecclesial traditions.

On May 12, the Jubilee opened with a deeply symbolic Liturgy in the Ethiopian rite at 8:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, led by the Churches of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Later, at 1:00 p.m., the Armenian Catholic Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Armenian rite at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, followed at 3:00 p.m. by the Coptic Catholic Church’s liturgy, also held at the same basilica.

On May 13, attention shifts back to St. Peter’s, where at 1:00 p.m., a liturgy in the East Syriac rite will be celebrated using the Anaphora of Addai and Mari—one of Christianity’s most ancient Eucharistic prayers. This service will be led by the Chaldean and Syro-Malabar Catholic Churches.

In the evening, at 6:45 p.m., the Syriac Catholic, Maronite, and Syro-Malankara Churches will gather at Saint Mary Major to pray the Vespers. At 9:00 p.m., the same basilica will host a spiritually uplifting rendition of the Akathist Hymn, a revered Byzantine chant dedicated to the Mother of God.

The Jubilee concludes on May 14 with a special audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Paul VI Hall at 10:00 a.m., where he will address the pilgrims and clergy of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Later that afternoon, at 2:00 p.m., Saint Peter’s Basilica will host the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine rite, celebrated by the Greek Melkite, Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Romanian Greek Catholic, and other Byzantine tradition Churches.

The Eastern Catholic Churches, though diverse in their languages, music, vestments, and theology, share full communion with the Bishop of Rome. These Churches reflect the vast geographical spread and historical depth of Catholicism, with roots in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South India, and vibrant diaspora communities around the world.

Most originated from historic reunions between Orthodox communities and the Roman Catholic Church, choosing to retain their traditional liturgies and ecclesial identities while affirming unity with the Papacy.

The Jubilee of Eastern Catholic Churches stands as a profound expression of the Catholic Church’s universality, showcasing the vitality and resilience of traditions that have endured centuries of upheaval, persecution, and displacement.

By celebrating this diversity within unity, the Vatican not only honors the Eastern Catholic Churches’ contributions to global Christianity but also reinforces the Church’s commitment to ecumenism, cultural preservation, and spiritual solidarity.

This three-day celebration is more than a liturgical gathering—it is a pilgrimage of faith, history, and identity, reaffirming that the universal Church is enriched, not diluted, by its diversity. As East and West meet in worship at the heart of Roman Catholicism, the Jubilee sends a powerful message of hope, harmony, and shared mission in a divided world.