Calay News
Pope Francis and Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II have jointly presided over the general audience at the Vatican, an unprecedented event in the history of the two religions. Tawadros II visited Pope Francis for four days to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first meeting between Pope Paul VI and Orthodox leader Shenouda III in May 1973, which initiated the dialogue between the two churches. During the audience, Tawadros II spoke to the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and Pope Francis warmly embraced him, highlighting his commitment to friendship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.
This is the third time that the two religious leaders have met, following the first visit of the Orthodox Patriarch to the Vatican in 2013 and the meeting in 2017 during Pope Francis’s trip to Egypt. On both occasions, they signed a joint declaration reaffirming the “fraternity and friendship” between the two religions, despite their separation.
The Copts are the largest Christian community in the Middle East, with around 10% of Egypt’s approximately 100 million inhabitants. They have suffered reprisals from Islamists, especially after the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, with the burning of churches, schools, and houses. The Coptic Patriarch’s visit to Pope Francis is an important gesture at a time when the Christian community in the Middle East continues to face many challenges and dangers.
