His Holiness Pope Tawadros II left the homeland in the early hours of this morning, heading to Poland at the beginning of a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Central Europe.

His Holiness is expected to arrive in the Polish capital, Warsaw, where he will meet with members of the Coptic Orthodox Church there to check on their spiritual and pastoral well-being, as well as hold a number of official meetings.

Accompanying His Holiness on the visit is a church delegation from Egypt, including Their Graces Bishop Fam, Bishop of East Minya and Bishop Axios, Bishop of Mansoura, Monk Fr. Emmanuel Al-Muharraqy, Director of the Papal Office, Deacon Joseph Reda from the Papal Secretariat, and media representative Michael Victor, the press attaché for the visit.

Bidding farewell to His Holiness at Cairo International Airport were Mr. Magdy Ishaq, Chairman of the Board of the Cairo Airport Company; Dr. Tarek Ismail, Head of Public Relations and Protocol Sector; Major General Ayman Abdel Fattah, Head of the Security Sector; Major General Gamal El-Gendy, Head of Operations Sector; and other airport officials.

It is worth mentioning that Poland is a country located in the heart of Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania and the Baltic Sea to the north. Its capital is Warsaw, and its population exceeds 38 million. Poland is known for its long history of struggle for freedom and independence, especially during the 20th century. Today, it is an active member of the European Union with a significant religious and cultural presence in Europe. There is one Coptic church in the capital, Warsaw, named after Saints John the Baptist and Saint Philopater.

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