His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received today, Monday, at the Papal Residence in Cairo, the Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun and the accompanying delegation.

His Holiness welcomed the President and his delegation, expressing his joy at this visit, which marks the first to the headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He also expressed his happiness at the evident improvement in Lebanon’s security and economic situation following President Aoun’s assumption of leadership. His Holiness noted the special place Lebanon holds in the hearts of Egyptians and voiced his hope that Lebanon would soon regain its former glory.

Pope Tawadros spoke about the Coptic Church, which was founded in the first century A.D., and praised its strong relationship with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, as well as with all institutions and components of the Egyptian state. His Holiness also wished a speedy recovery to His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Patriarch of the Maronite Church in Lebanon.

For his part, President Aoun thanked His Holiness for the warm welcome and stated that he, along with the Lebanese government and parliament, looks forward to the future, leaving behind a period in which Lebanon suffered greatly. He affirmed his determination not to allow the past to return, aiming for Lebanon to reclaim its former state, with the support of friends and allies — foremost among them Egypt and President El-Sisi. He added that Egypt, with all its people, remains close to Lebanon and dear to the hearts of the Lebanese.

The President extended an invitation to His Holiness to visit Lebanon at the nearest opportunity.

Following the meeting, President Joseph Aoun wrote a message in the VIP guestbook, after which he and his delegation visited the St. Mark Cathedral, where they were given an overview of its history, structure, and key events.

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