Today (Thursday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II received at the Papal Residence in Cairo, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, accompanied by a delegation of youth participating in the fifth edition of the President Gamal Abdel Nasser Scholarship, which includes participants from various countries around the world.

His Holiness welcomed Egypt’s guests, praising the spirit of youth and the cultural diversity reflected by the delegation. He gave a comprehensive overview of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the oldest oriental Church, founded by Saint Mark the Evangelist in the first century. The Church continues to uphold its spiritual and national mission to this day, under the leadership of His Holiness, who is the 118th Pope in the line of patriarchs.

In his speech, Pope Tawadros spoke about Egypt’s geographic and cultural dimensions, highlighting its unique location at the crossroads of three continents and its rich history shaped by seven civilizations. He emphasized that Egypt has always been and still is a source of knowledge, religion, and diversity.

He went on to discuss the role of the Church in preserving Egyptian identity, pointing out that the Coptic Church played a key role in spreading Christianity in Africa. It established the first theological school in Alexandria and introduced monasticism to the world through Saint Anthony, the first monk in history.

Pope Tawadros stressed that the Coptic Church is not only a spiritual institution but also a fundamental pillar of Egyptian society. It plays a national and humanitarian role, serving everyone without discrimination and actively contributing to community development projects both within Egypt and abroad—through schools, hospitals, and social programs.

In his interaction with the youth, His Holiness focused on the importance of building a well-rounded individual through “the mind, the heart, and the hand.” He encouraged the young people to read, travel, and embrace other cultures to develop balanced personalities capable of serving society.

He affirmed that love is the essential need of every human being, shielding one from hatred and division. “Love never fails,” he said, stressing the need for openness and respect for diversity, and praising the Church’s role in promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and cooperation.

His Holiness also pointed to the challenges facing the new generations, including atheism, distorted morals, and misinformation spread on social media. He asserted that holding onto spiritual values and sound education is the way to confront these challenges.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the youth expressed their gratitude for the wisdom and kindness they experienced from His Holiness and praised the Church’s efforts in supporting peace, dialogue, and service both within Egypt and around the world.

This page is also available in: العربية