Pope Leo XIV Names Indian Cardinal Gracias Special Envoy to FABC Assembly in Jakarta

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Oswald Gracias, emeritus Archbishop of Bombay, western India, as his Special Envoy to the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from July 20 to 26, 2026.

In a letter addressed to Cardinal Gracias, the pope expressed his hope for the continued growth of the Church in Asia, emphasizing the region’s role in witnessing to the Christian faith and promoting human dignity.

Reflecting on the mission of the Church in Asia, Pope Leo XIV encouraged bishops and faithful to remain engaged with the realities of the contemporary world.

“Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty in the work of our time,” the pope said, urging the Church to respond with prayer, wisdom, and perseverance to the challenges facing humanity.

The pope highlighted the importance of placing God at the center of the Church’s actions and ensuring that the human person remains at the heart of its decisions. He said that those often pushed to the margins — including the poor, the sick, migrants, and children — must be recognized as central to building a more just and compassionate society.

Drawing from Psalm 85:11, Pope Leo XIV called for a world where “charity and truth meet” and where “justice and peace” are united.

The pope also encouraged the Church to become a builder of communion rather than an institution shaped by division or self-interest.

“We must become builders of communion and not architects of the Babylon of this age; servants of the coming Kingdom, not builders of towers destined for ruin,” he said.

Cardinal Gracias, who served as Archbishop of Bombay, India, from 2006 to 2025, is widely recognized for his contributions to the Church in Asia and his involvement in regional and global Church leadership. He previously served as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and as a member of the Vatican’s key advisory bodies.

As the pope’s representative, Cardinal Gracias will preside over liturgical celebrations and convey Pope Leo XIV’s greetings and closeness to bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful participating in the FABC gathering.

The 12th FABC Plenary Assembly will bring together bishops from across Asia under the theme “The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission to be Bridges and Bridge-builders in Asia,” focusing on the Church’s call to strengthen communion, dialogue, and missionary engagement across the continent.