His Holiness Pope Tawadros II arrived at Cairo International Airport this evening, returning from the Czech Republic after concluding a two-week pastoral visit of four countries under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Central Europe: Poland, Romania, Serbia, and the Czech Republic.
His Holiness was welcomed upon arrival by His Grace Bishop Daniel, Metropolitan of Maadi and Secretary of the Holy Synod, along with Mr. Magdy Ishak, Chairman of the Board of Cairo Airport Company, and several airport officials.
During his extensive pastoral journey, His Holiness engaged in numerous spiritual and official activities, beginning in Poland, where he delivered a lecture at the College of Europe in Natolin, met with President Andrzej Duda, the Archbishop of Warsaw, and several church and diplomatic leaders. He also held gatherings with members of the Coptic community.
In Romania, His Holiness consecrated the Church of St. Mina in the capital, Bucharest, presided over the annual meeting of European Coptic bishops, visited the Romanian Patriarchate, and met with His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Religious Affairs, and the Armenian Orthodox Church.
While in Serbia, the Pope met with the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Culture, the Director of Religious Affairs, and delivered a keynote address at the Palace of Serbia attended by top officials. He also visited the Serbian Parliament, the Church of the Virgin Mary in Zemun, St. Sava Theological School, and held broad meetings with Islamic leaders and Serbian intellectuals.
He concluded his tour in the Czechia, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy, met the Foreign Minister, and the Archbishop of Prague.
The Egyptian embassies in all four countries organized official receptions in honor of His Holiness, attended by numerous ambassadors and accredited diplomats.
Additionally, a variety of news agencies, newspapers, and television stations conducted interviews with the Pope, during which he conveyed messages of love, acceptance, openness, and calls for peace, stability, and secure living.
Throughout his speeches and lectures, His Holiness consistently highlighted the Coptic Orthodox Church — with its rich spiritual and historical heritage — and Egypt, a country marked by its ancient civilization, promising present, and ongoing commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Accompanying His Holiness on the visit were: Their Grace Bishop Fam, Bishop of East Minya, Bishop Axios, Bishop of Mansoura, Monk Fr. Emmanuel Al-Muharraqy, Director of the Pope’s Office, Deacon Joseph Reda from His Holiness’s Secretariat, Journalist Michael Victor, the media attaché for the tour
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