His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received His Beatitude Patriarch Ibrahim Ishaq, Coptic Catholic Patriarch, and a delegation of our Catholic brothers, at the papal residence in Cairo today.

The delegation that visited His Holiness to congratulate His Holiness on Christmas, in addition to His Beatitude the Patriarch, included Their Eminences Archbishop George Shehan, Bishop of the Maronite Church, Archbishop Claudio Lorani, Archbishop of Latin Catholics, Monsignor Stefano Mazzotti, Counselor of the Vatican Embassy in Egypt, and Archbishop Krikor Augustinus Kousa, Armenian Catholic Bishop, in addition to Representatives of the Catholic College of Theology, Caritas and several Catholic entities in Egypt.

His Holiness the Pope welcomed his guests, wishing them a Happy New Year and a blessed Feast, expressing his aspiration that the Coronavirus pandemic would end, praising the efforts of scientists to find vaccines and treatment to eliminate it.

Regarding the birth of Christ, His Holiness indicated that it was a new beginning and that new beginnings are always joyful and lead to progress and growth in human life.

His Holiness added that Christmas also came as light after darkness, and it is intended to enlighten the human heart, distinguish matters and possess wisdom. He affirmed that the birth of Christ was a new call for salvation. Salvation began with birth, and it is an invitation addressed to every human being.

For his part, His Beatitude Patriarch Ibrahim Ishaq congratulated His Holiness the Pope, pointing out that with the birth of Christ the heavens were united with the earth, and we were called to God’s sonship and holiness, a life of fellowship and true love.

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