Today (Monday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II received Egypt’s newly appointed ambassadors at the Papal Residence in Cairo. The ambassadors were among those included in the 2026 diplomatic appointments announced last month.
His Holiness welcomed the new ambassadors and delivered an address highlighting several themes related to Egypt as a nation, including its history, identity, and unique geographical and historical characteristics. He also spoke about the Coptic Orthodox Church, addressing its history, distinctive attributes, influence within the Christian world, and its active role in Egypt and in every country where it is present.
Pope Tawadros emphasized that Egypt is unique as the only country in the world with a nearly square geographical shape, a feature that contributes to the balance and distinctiveness of the Egyptian national character. He also referred to the ancient Greek name for Egypt, “Aigyptos,” from which the modern name “Egypt” is derived, as well as the ancient Egyptian name “Kemet,” meaning “the Black Land,” from which the term “chemistry” is traditionally derived. He further noted that Egypt is the only country to have an academic discipline bearing its name—Egyptology—from which the field of Coptology also emerged.
Pope Tawadros noted that Christians and Muslims in Egypt live together in a spirit of unity and harmony, strengthened by the Nile River, which has long served as a unifying element for all Egyptians.
Speaking about the Coptic Orthodox Church, His Holiness explained that its foundation in Egypt is rooted in the Biblical prophecy, “Blessed be Egypt My people” (Isaiah 19:25), the Holy Family’s journey into Egypt, and the evangelistic mission of Saint Mark the Apostle in Alexandria. For this reason, the Pope bears the title “Pope of Alexandria.” Alexandria thus became the first city in Africa to embrace the Christian faith, and it was there that Saint Mark was martyred in 68 AD.
Pope Tawadros also highlighted three defining characteristics of the Coptic Orthodox Church: its steadfast commitment to Orthodox theological teaching, its identity as the Church of the Martyrs, and its role as the birthplace of Christian monasticism.
His Holiness went on to outline the Coptic monastic tradition, the organization of monasteries, and the various forms of ministry and consecrated service within the Church. He reviewed the historical expansion of the Coptic Orthodox Church throughout the world and its commitment to serving the communities in which it is present, particularly in the fields of healthcare and education. He also explained the composition of the Holy Synod, the different forms of ecclesiastical ministry, and the important roles played by women in Church service. In addition, he emphasized the Church’s ongoing contribution to Egyptian society by providing educational and healthcare services to all citizens without discrimination.
His Holiness concluded his address by discussing the Coptic Orthodox Church’s relations with Churches around the world, as well as its longstanding relationship with Al-Azhar.
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