Vatican City: In a deeply symbolic gesture of unity and pastoral authority, Pope Leo XIV will today confer the pallium on 54 newly appointed metropolitan archbishops from around the world during a solemn Mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica. Among them are three Indian prelates, including Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakkal of Kozhikode.
This sacred rite coincides with the liturgical celebration of Saints Peter and Paul, pillars of the early Church, and marks a centuries-old tradition wherein the Pope blesses and presents the pallium a woolen liturgical vestment signifying unity with the Holy See and the responsibilities of a metropolitan shepherd.
Alongside Archbishop Chakkalakkal, Archbishop John Rodrigues of Bombay and Archbishop Udumala Bala Shoredi of Visakhapatnam will also receive the pallium as representatives of the Indian Church. The Mass, presided over by the Pope, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Vatican time (1:00 p.m. IST).
The pallium, woven from the wool of lambs blessed by the Pope on the feast of St. Agnes, is draped over the shoulders, adorned with six black crosses, and symbolizes the pastoral duty of the metropolitan to guide his province in unity with the successor of Peter. It also signifies a commitment to promoting peace, faithfulness, and ecclesial communion.
A delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is expected to be present at the liturgy, reaffirming ongoing efforts toward Christian unity.
Historically, the pallium is blessed and conferred by the Pope on June 29, while since 2015, Pope Francis had encouraged metropolitans to receive it formally within their own archdioceses through the local Apostolic Nuncio to highlight their bond with the local faithful. However, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to restore the full Vatican ceremony, holding the blessing and conferral on the same day in Rome highlighting the unity and universal dimension of the Church.
By receiving the pallium, the new archbishops formally share in the authority and mission entrusted to Saint Peter, affirming their allegiance to the Pope and their calling to shepherd the people of God with fidelity and love.