"Pope Francis Appoints New Leader for Syro-Malabar Catholic Church"

Pope Francis has confirmed Bishop Raphael Thattil as the new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India, amid an ongoing dispute over a decision to institute a uniform liturgy. Thattil, who holds a doctorate in Eastern canon law, faces the challenge of leading a divided flock as he takes on responsibility for the second-largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with Rome. Pope Francis has intervened in the dispute several times and urged Thattil to offer a generous and fruitful pastoral ministry to the flock, especially remembering the poor and those most in need.