Pope Francis Meets with Coptic Orthodox Bishop Tawadros in Vatican for Anniversary Discussions

Pope Francis welcomed Bishop Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church during a general audience in Vatican City, marking a significant moment in inter-church relations. The meeting took place on the 10th anniversary of the first meeting between the two church leaders and the 50th anniversary of the historic 1964 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III, which led to the signing of a declaration on the unity of Christian teachings.

The Pope expressed gratitude for Bishop Tawadros’ efforts to strengthen friendship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. He recalled their first meeting in 2013, when the Bishop proposed celebrating the “Day of Friendship between Coptic Friends and Catholics” on May 10th each year. The Pope affirmed that this tradition has continued, with both churches maintaining open dialogue and mutual respect.

During the meeting, Pope Francis invited all present to pray for the Holy Men and martyrs of the Coptic Church, seeking their blessings and unity in the faith. He also called upon the people to pray for the Bishop’s visit to Rome and for the entire Coptic Orthodox Church, emphasizing the importance of harmony and shared spiritual goals.

The Pope also reflected on the martyrdom of Coptic Christians in Libya, recalling the 2015 attack in which 21 Christians were killed by ISIS militants who invoked the name of Christ before their deaths. He referred to these martyrs as the Church’s own, highlighting the shared suffering and witness of Christian communities around the world.

Bishop Tawadros addressed the gathering in Arabic, expressing gratitude for the Pope’s hospitality and reaffirming the commitment of the Coptic Orthodox Church to dialogue and mutual understanding with the Catholic Church. The visit underscored the ongoing efforts to foster unity and cooperation among Christian denominations, rooted in a shared faith and common mission.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)