Eastern Catholics are members of the Catholic Church who follow the traditions and liturgical practices of the Eastern Christian churches. They are in full communion with the Pope in Rome but maintain their unique rites, languages, and customs. There are 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Byzantine, Maronite, and Syro-Malabar Churches, each with its own distinct heritage. These churches celebrate the sacraments and the Eucharist similarly to the Roman Catholic Church but often use different liturgical texts and rituals. Eastern Catholics emphasize the importance of community and the role of the Holy Spirit in their worship, reflecting the rich spiritual and cultural diversity within the broader Catholic Church.