His Holiness Pope Tawadros II arrived a short while ago at Venice International Airport, coming from Vienna following the conclusion of his pastoral visit to Austria, which began last Monday as part of his current overseas tour.

Venice, Italy, marks the third stop of His Holiness’s tour, which began with a visit to Turkey, followed by Austria.

His Holiness was seen off at Vienna Airport by Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, Egypt’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna, along with Consul Mohamed El-Behairy.

During his visit, His Holiness presided yesterday morning over the Divine Liturgy marking the tenth anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of the Virgin “Maria am Sieg” and Archangel Michael in Vienna. The cathedral had been gifted by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, former Archbishop of Vienna of the Roman Catholic Church, to the Coptic Orthodox Church, and was received and consecrated by His Holiness in May 2016. His Holiness also attended the commemorative celebration held on this occasion.

As part of the visit, His Holiness inaugurated the youth gathering “Salt and Light,” attended by 326 young men and women representing ten dioceses across Europe. He delivered the opening lecture on “The Image of the Perfect Man in Christ” and later held an open dialogue session, answering questions from the participants.

His Holiness also met with the monastic community of the Monastery of Saint Anthony in Obersiebenbrunn, Vienna, where he spoke on the theme “Characteristics of the Person of the Resurrection.”

On the official level, His Holiness was received at the airport in Vienna by Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, who also hosted a dinner in his honor attended by ambassadors of several countries.

Upon his arrival in Venice, His Holiness was received by Their Graces Bishop Marc of Paris and Northern France, Bishop Abraham, General Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, and Bishop Giovanni, Bishop of Central Europe and supervisor of the Church’s headquarters in Venice.

His Holiness then proceeded to the Cathedral of Saint Mark the Apostle in Venice “the Headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Europe” where he offered a prayer of thanksgiving.

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