His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and his accompanying delegation arrived in the late hours of Sunday evening at the Monastery of Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite in Milan, marking the beginning of his pastoral visit to the Diocese of Milan, Italy. Welcoming His Holiness was His Grace Bishop Antonio (Bishop of Milan and abbot of the monastery) and His Grace Bishop Giovanni (Bishop of Central Europe).

His Holiness was greeted at the entrance of the monastery with joyful tunes by the monks, priests and congregation of the diocese. The children presented bouquets of flowers to His Holiness, welcoming his arrival.

After entering the monastery, His Holiness went to the shrine of the late Metropolitan Kirollos, the Former Metropolitan of the diocese. He spoke to his hosts about the departed metropolitan saying: “We remember with goodness our Beloved Metropolitan. He was a model of the faithful shepherd, whom we discovered, after his departure, had organized all the affairs of the diocese which were managed in peace. For the faithful servant sows good fruits, even after his departure.”

It is worth noting that His Holiness Pope Tawadros visited the diocese of Milan in 2015 and 2017, making this his third visit.

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