Rome: Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil of the Syro Malabar Church left for Rome on Thursday morning for an official visit to the Vatican. He is accompanied by Synod Secretary Archbishop Joseph Pamplany.
According to Church sources, Pope Leo XIV has granted a personal audience to the major archbishop on December 15 at 10 in the morning. The meeting was arranged at the request of the major archbishop.
During their stay in Rome, the major archbishop and the synod secretary are also expected to visit the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches and other Vatican offices for official discussions.
Church officials clarified that some reports circulating in a few media outlets about the purpose of the visit are incorrect and not based on facts.