His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received at the Papal Residence in Cairo, today, Friday, Monsignor Eric de Moulin Beaufort, Archbishop of Reims, and his accompanying delegation, who are currently visiting Egypt on a religious pilgrimage.
The delegation of the bishops of the Catholic Church consisted of Monsignor Laurent Ulric, Archbishop of Paris, Monsignor Mathieu Rogier, Bishop of Nantera, and Monsignor Pascal Gollenich, President of the Le Vivier Dorint Foundation.
His Holiness the Pope welcomed the delegation of bishops and gave them an overview of the history of Egypt and the Coptic Orthodox Church, commending the strong relations between the Church, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian government, Parliament, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and all pillars of the state.
His Holiness also commended the church’s relationship with all other churches and the Council of Churches of Egypt.
His Holiness the Pope invited them to visit the Coptic monasteries, some of which date back to the fourth century AD, calling on them to learn about Orthodox monastic life, especially since the founder of monasticism in the world was the monk Anthony, also known as the Father of Monks, and the first monastery was established in Egypt, named after St. Anthony.
His Holiness pointed out the importance of building relationships of love in Christ with all churches, citing the words of Saint Paul the Apostle:
”For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;“
(II Corinthians 5:14)
For their part, the delegation of bishops expressed the good relationship that links them with the Coptic Church in France, and that the Catholic churches are keen to open their doors to Copts in France to hold their prayers there.
The guests also stressed their great appreciation and pride in the Coptic Orthodox Church and its ancient history, and the bonds of love that connect the two churches.
There was a discussion about the situation in the Gaza Strip, and the attendees agreed on the necessity of continuing to pray for our brothers there.
Reference was also made to the joint prayer that will be held among all the churches in Jerusalem on the Day of Resurrection, which will fall on May 5th.
The talk dealt with the 17th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, which all churches will celebrate next year.
Participating in receiving the Catholic Delegation were H.E. Metropolitan Daniel, Metropolitan of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod, H.G. Bishop Eklemandos , General Bishop of the Churches of the Almaza Strip, Amal City , and East Nasr City, Fr. Kyrillos St. Bishoy, Director of His Holiness the Pope’s Office, Fr. Philopateer Nabih, Secretary of His Holiness the Pope for Diaspora Affairs, and Mrs. Barbara Soliman, Director of the Papal Office for Projects and Relations, and Deacon Ramy Rizk from the Secretariat of His Holiness the Pope.
