SVD Bishops Meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican: Archbishop John Barwa Carries Odisha in Prayer

Vatican City | August 2025 — In a moment of profound spiritual grace, Bishops of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) from across the world gathered at the Vatican City for a special audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. Among them were five SVD Bishops from India, including Archbishop John Barwa, SVD, of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, who represented not only the Church in Odisha but the hopes and prayers of the people of the region.

This deeply meaningful encounter was part of the SVD’s global reflection as “Witnesses to the Word”, reaffirming their mission of evangelization, intercultural dialogue, and service to the poor and the marginalized. During the audience, Pope Leo XIV offered his apostolic blessing to the SVD community and encouraged their continued commitment to the mission of the Church.

“We would like to see that the ministry of bishops is also seen as a way of being an SVD. The SVD bishops have a place in the normal life of the Society. We have a contribution to make, especially in the light of the Church´s synodality and mission. 
We have a contribution to make in promoting communion within the Society, and in our dioceses, and the whole world. We have a contribution to make in encouraging participation. We see this especially with the promotion of our lay groups. We certainly have a contribution to make in the area of mission animation and promotion. We can be in the forefront of bringing the missionary dimension into the life of the institutional church. We express our deep gratitude to the Generalate for initiating, organizing, and facilitating this forum. We look forward to renewed spirit of collaboration between the Society and SVD bishops” by SVD Bishops` Forum Statement.

A Blessing for Odisha and Its People

Archbishop John Barwa’s participation in this spiritual gathering at the heart of the Catholic Church carries special meaning for Odisha and the eastern region of India. “As one of the five SVD Bishops from India, I carried with me the prayers, aspirations, and faith of our people before the Holy Father,” said Archbishop Barwa. “May this meeting bring renewed blessings and grace upon our Archdiocese, our state of Odisha, and all our faithful.”

The Archbishop Barwa’s presence at the Vatican becomes a source of collective blessing and hope for the Church in Odisha. It affirms the region’s strong connection to the universal Church and places it spiritually under the loving gaze and pastoral care of the Pope.

“We believe that through this sacred encounter, the Holy Father’s right hand of blessing rests upon our land, our people, and our mission,” a spokesperson from the Archdiocese shared. “This moment inspires us to deepen our faith and continue our journey in unity and service.”

Moving Forward with Faith

As the SVD bishops return to their dioceses, they carry with them the encouragement of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and a renewed spiritual mandate. For the faithful of Odisha, this visit is more than symbolic — it is a reminder of their place in the heart of the Church and a divine affirmation of their mission and identity.