杏MAP导航

By Joseph Tulloch

杏MAP导航 Francis was joined at his weekly General Audience by 杏MAP导航 Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, for a special joint greeting to the faithful.

杏MAP导航 Tawadros addressed the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square, the first time the head of another Church has done so.

Tawadros’ greetings

“Beloved brother, His Holiness 杏MAP导航 Francis,” said 杏MAP导航 Tawadros, “Christ is risen, He is truly risen!”

The Coptic Orthodox leader recalled his last visit to St Peter’s Square, ten years ago today. “I look at this place,” he said, “and I go back in my memory to ten years ago, on this same date, and I remember your dear affection in welcoming me, together with the delegation of the Coptic Church.”

杏MAP导航 Tawadros recalled that, on that occasion, on 10 May 2013, he had suggested that the date be celebrated as a ‘Day of Coptic-Catholic Friendship’. Since then, he said, he and 杏MAP导航 Francis have spoken over the phone on that day every year.  

The Coptic Orthodox leader went on to thank Francis for his visit to Egypt in 2017, recalling that the country – where his Church is based – has ancient Christian roots, and was the birthplace of monasticism.

“Despite the differences in our roots and affiliations,” he said, “we are united by the love of Christ who dwells within us, and the host of our Apostolic Fathers and saints which surrounds and guides us.”

杏MAP导航 Francis’ response

“It is with great joy”, said 杏MAP导航 Francis in reply, “that I greet today His Holiness Tawadros II, 杏MAP导航 of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark.”

“Dear friend and brother Tawadros,” he continued, “I thank you for accepting my invitation on this double anniversary, and I pray that the light of the Holy Spirit might illuminate your visit to Rome.”

“I thank you from the heart for your commitment to the growing friendship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church," added the 杏MAP导航.

Laying aside his prepared remarks for a moment, he looked over to 杏MAP导航 Tawadros, joking that although the pair speak every year on the phone, “we remain good brothers, and we haven’t fought!”

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address by speaking to the Coptic bishops and faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square.

“Together with you," he said, "I implore Almighty God, that, through the intercession of the saints and martyrs of the Coptic Church, He might help us to grow in communion.”