Today, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received H.H. Pope Tawadros II and a delegation from the World Council of Churches, headed by the Reverend Dr. Jerry Pillay, Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches, accompanied by a group of Council leaders. The meeting was attended by Dr. Badr Abdelatty; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs.

The President welcomed the visiting delegation, expressing his congratulations on the success of the Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches, hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church at the LOGOS Center in Wadi El-Natroun. He affirmed that the convening of the assembly in Egypt, and for the first time in Africa and Asia since 1927, carries deep significance regarding Egypt’s spiritual and historical stature.

His Excellency stressed his profound appreciation for H.H. Pope Tawadros II and for the national and spiritual role of the Egyptian Church, emphasizing that Egypt, which embraced the Holy Family and many apostles and prophets, will always remain a land of peace and tolerance. He affirmed that the Egyptian state remains committed to safeguarding freedom of worship and belief, while promoting dialogue between religious institutions to reinforce values of mutual understanding and tolerance.

The President also reviewed Egypt’s vigorous efforts to halt the war in Gaza, including its hosting of the Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. He highlighted the importance of support from the World Council of Churches and all religious institutions for efforts to sustain a ceasefire and contribute to the reconstruction of the Strip.

For their part, members of the Council’s delegation expressed their appreciation for the crucial role undertaken by Egypt, and by the President personally, in halting the war in Gaza. They stated that the world recognizes Egypt’s role in this regard, expressing hope for justice and peace in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and other areas of global crisis. They noted that the President’s wisdom in managing crises stands as a model for world leaders.

The delegation also thanked the President for Egypt’s efforts regarding the Sudanese crisis, commending Egypt’s hosting of more than five million Sudanese residents who benefit from the same public services provided to Egyptian citizens. They acknowledged that this noble and exceptional humanitarian stance deserves praise and emulation.

His Excellency noted that Egypt currently hosts around ten million foreigners who have sought refuge due to wars and crises, and that the Egyptian people extend assistance and support to them without discrimination.

Members of the World Council of Churches delegation reiterated their gratitude and appreciation to the President for his continued efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and for the unprecedented freedom of belief and the construction of houses of worship they witnessed in Egypt. They praised his annual initiative to visit the Coptic Church and offer greetings for the Glorious Feast of Nativity, which reflects a spirit of affection and respect. The President affirmed in turn his constant pleasure in sharing celebrations with Coptic citizens, out of appreciation for them and for Pope Tawadros, stressing the essential role of religious institutions in supporting peace efforts and rejecting violence and hatred.

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