Pope Francis and Assyrian Patriarch Celebrate Milestones in Christian Unity

Pope Francis is set to receive His Holiness Mar Awa III, the Catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East, at the Vatican on Saturday, November 9, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the *Common Christological Declaration* and mark the 40th anniversary of the first visit by an Assyrian Patriarch to Rome.

The *Common Christological Declaration*, signed on November 11, 1994, by Pope St. John Paul II and the then-Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Dinkha IV, represented a landmark step toward fostering greater unity between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church. The declaration affirmed the shared Christian faith in the Son of God, despite historical Christological differences.

Saturday’s celebrations are also tied to another important milestone—the 40th anniversary of Mar Dinkha IV’s visit to Pope St. John Paul II in 1984, which laid the groundwork for the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the two Churches.

Accompanied by members of the Joint Commission, Patriarch Mar Awa III’s visit marks the ongoing dialogue between the two Churches, which has recently entered a new phase focused on liturgy. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity highlighted that this continued engagement reflects a commitment to deepening mutual understanding and cooperation, particularly in pastoral and theological matters.

The 1994 Declaration concluded with a call for both Churches to witness together to the Gospel and collaborate in the formation of future leaders in the faith. This anniversary serves as a reminder of the progress made in ecumenical relations and the shared mission of Christians to spread the message of the Gospel.