Vatican City: As the third Metropolitan Assembly of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh unfolds in Whiting, Indiana, Pope Leo XIV has sent a heartfelt message to the clergy and faithful, describing their gathering as a “visible sign of communion” within the global Church.
In his letter dated July 12, 2025, the Pope praised the Assembly organized by Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla and the Council of Hierarchs for its focus on unity, spiritual reflection, and pastoral renewal. The event, hosted at the Byzantine Church of Saint Mary from July 16–20, brings together clergy, religious, and lay members from across the Archeparchy, alongside representatives from the Exarchate of Toronto and the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
Reflecting on the Assembly’s theme, “Come, let us worship and bow before Christ,” the Pope described it as a profound call to reaffirm devotion to Christ while strengthening the bonds of ecclesial unity. He emphasized that the liturgical celebrations, prayers, and conversations held during the event nurture a shared witness rooted in the Byzantine Catholic tradition.
Pope Leo also honored the legacy of early Byzantine Catholic pioneers in North America who built strong communities amid hardship and uncertainty. He applauded their descendants for continuing this mission with “fidelity to their heritage” and a bold commitment to renewal.
Concluding his message, the Pope expressed his spiritual closeness to the Byzantine faithful in the United States and entrusted the Assembly to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all participants as a sign of “wisdom, joy, and peace in the Lord.”
The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, established as the first Greek Catholic Exarchate in the U.S. in 1924, remains a cornerstone of the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church, which today includes nearly 300,000 faithful across the country.