Eastern rite

There are around a dozen Christian leaders in Jerusalem, many of them representing eastern rite Catholic or Orthodox churches that trace their presence in the region to the times of the Apostles.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Eastern Rite Catholic Church in Ukraine loyal to the pope, said in a statement that his the pontiff's words had caused "great pain and worry".

Francis made the comments to explain why he chose not to deliver a prepared speech to visiting charity workers for Eastern rite churches.

The Greek Catholic Church is one of the eastern rite Catholic churches that recognizes papal authority.

There will be one notable exception: past funerals, including John Paul’s in 2005, included special “suppliche,” or prayful implorations — featuring a long litany of the names of saints — reflecting a pontiff’s role as Bishop of Rome and also head of the Eastern rite churches.