Today (Wednesday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II received Monsignor Franco Agence, Deputy Archbishop of Milan, accompanied by a delegation from the Catholic Church.

His Holiness welcomed his visitors, noting that Milan has great fame in Christian history, and that Saint Ambrose’s (Bishop of Milan) writings and biography played a major role in the repentance of Saint Augustine. His Holiness mentioned that the late Anba Kyrillos (previous metropolitan of Milan) is considered an extension of Saint Ambrose in his writings and service.

His Holiness then spoke about Egypt, indicating that it has a strong Christian history. For monasticism arose on the land of Egypt through its founder, Saint Anthony. His Holiness also expressed his wish for his guests to visit Egypt and its monasteries.

He added: “We bear witness to the strong Christianity in Egypt. We bear witness to Christ in the Middle Eastern societies as we are the largest Christian Church in the Middle East. We rejoice over this blessing which we try to offer to all. I would be happy to see you in Egypt.”
His Holiness asked for his greetings and love to be conveyed to the Archbishop of Milan, praising their meeting together last May in Milan.

For his part, Bishop Franco expressed his thanks to His Holiness for the beautiful testimony that the Coptic Church leaves in society, saying: “You always encourage us, especially regarding the youth.” Father Luca, a member of the Catholic Church delegation in Milan, also spoke, pointing out that in Milan, for the past six years, they have been trying and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding the wrong changes that are contrary to Christian principles which are happening in societies now. He said to Pope Tawadros: “Your Holiness spoke about Saint Ambrose, who was a judge and left his job, devoting himself to service. He became the Bishop of Milan, and we are proud to be Christians of Saint Ambrose.”

He added: “We see that the Coptic Church is a positive energy for spreading the faith. We desire and strive for the spirit of the Council of Nicaea to always be amongst us, as we are the sons of the Council of Nicaea, and the period of Saint Ambrose’s episcopate is the fruit of the labor of the Fathers of the Council of Nicaea.”

They then presented a gift to His Holiness of the relics of a group of saints: Saint Augustine, Saint Ambrose and Saint Boktor.

The attendees chanted the hymns of “Khen Efran and Axios” during the presentation of the gift. The relics of the same saints were also gifted to Anba Antonio; Bishop of Milan.

His Holiness presented a gift to Bishop Franco, consisting of a book and a film about the Holy Family’s journey.

His Holiness concluded: “May the intercessions of our fathers the martyrs be with us. Witnessing to Christ is part of our lives, as was recently demonstrated by the martyrs in Libya, whom I gifted part of their clothes to H.H. Pope Francis during my previous visit, and he was very happy about it.”

The meeting was attended by His Grace Anba Antonio (Bishop of Milan) and Bishop Loka, (Bishop of the French sector of Switzerland and Southern France).

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