The Catholic Church in Egypt issued a statement by Father Hany Bakhoum, Undersecretary of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, on the visit of Pope Francis to Egypt.
“His Beatitude Anba Ibrahim Ishaq, Patriarch of Alexandria for Catholic Copts and Chairman of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt and the Coordinating Committee for the Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Egypt, thank on behalf of catholic in Egypt the great people of Egypt for the extraordinary visit of His Holiness Pope Francis and warm reception of Egyptians in all sects, which was translated in the warm welcome from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and all political leaders.
President Sisi and Pope Francis expressed a sincere desire to fight extremist ideology, renounce wars, bring peace to the world and the importance of Egypt’s role in maintaining stability in the Middle East.
His meeting with Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, showed a sincere desire from the Pope and the Imam to achieve peace in all corners of the world to replace terrorism and destruction and make religious dialogue the way to achieve acquaintance and love among people on earth with different ideologies and beliefs.
His meeting with his brother, Pope Twardos II, Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of the see of St. Mark, was a culmination of the spirit of love and cooperation between the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Churches to reach the nominal goal of “unity of the Churches”.
The Pope’s visit to the homeland of peace Egypt is a historic visit, as Pope Francis said. He came to Egypt to follow the lines of the Holy Family and many prophets, considering his visit to this blessed land as a holy pilgrimage.
Father Hany Bakhoum said in his statement: “The Pope has expressed to us more than once the happiness of warm reception and good organization, by the president office, armed forces, Police and the Ministry of Tourism and Education. The Pope alternate with Egyptian, feelings of love and brotherhood and was hoping if the visit lasted for days in Egypt the land of peace .. Mother of the world, which carried the banner of love and human civilization throughout its history.
We wish to reap the fruits of this visit, which has showed that security is firmly established in our beloved land and to be the beginning of glories of our homeland and the establishment of peace throughout the world.
