To His Holiness1 Pope Francis I
Bishop of Rome and
Sovereign of the State of Vatican City
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City
“My Command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:12-13
Most Holy Father, beloved brother in Christ,
On the joyful occasion of our brotherhood day, I recall with joy our memorable encounter in Rome on May 10th, 2013, and your Holiness visit to Egypt last year.
As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we remember his commandment to love one another as he has loved us. On our brotherhood day, I assure your holiness of my great love, praying that the Lord may further strengthen the ties between our two churches; I am pleased with the progress of the plenary meetings of the joint international commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, may the Lord lighten our path to further strengthen our ties and unite our people.
As we approach the feast of the Pentecost, we remember that the gift of the Holy Spirit was granted to the disciples as they were united “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (Act 2:1). May our hearts be opened and ready to receive the divine power and energy that God will grant us through His Holy Spirit.
This year the Coptic Orthodox Church is celebrating three important events, the first of which is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Sunday school, the second is the 50th anniversary of the transfiguration of the Virgin Mary in Zeiton, and the third is the 50th anniversary of the construction of St. Mark Cathedral in Cairo. The Catholic Church Patriarch and other church members will be invited to these celebrations, and their presence will be a sign of our unity and love for one another, and through which our joy will be fulfilled.
My prayer today is that all Christians grow closer together in Christ, further strengthening our Christian witness in the world. Asking the Lord for our continuous love and reconciliation, may the Lord guide you in your lofty and important ministry, and grant you good health and spiritual fortitude.
With fraternal love and blessings
