His Holiness Pope Francis appointed His Excellency Mar Stephen Chirappanath as the Apostolic Visitor to the Syro-Malabar faithful residing in Europe through an official Apostolic Letter dated 26 July 2016 (Jubilee Year of Mercy). Entrusted with pastoral responsibility for Syro-Malabar communities across Europe, he is called to strengthen ecclesial unity, foster spiritual growth, and coordinate pastoral care in collaboration with local dioceses, in accordance with the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches and the directives of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.