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Al-Ahram Weekly
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pope Tawadros II praises Lebanon progress under President Aoun - Foreign Affairs
Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, praised on Monday the noticeable improvements in Lebanon's security and economic conditions under President Joseph Aoun's guidance. The pope made these remarks during his meeting with the Lebanese president and his accompanying delegation at the Papal Residence in Cairo. Pope Tawadros II welcomed President Aoun's first-of-its-kind visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church. During their meeting, the pope highlighted Lebanon's special position in Egyptians' hearts and expressed his hopes for its swift recovery and prosperity. He also spoke about the ancient heritage of the Coptic Church, founded in the first century, praising its strong ties with all institutions and components of the Egyptian state. For his part, President Aoun thanked the pope for his warm reception. Aoun noted that he, alongside the Lebanese government and parliament, is focused on moving forward and overcoming past hardships that deeply affected the country. The Lebanese president also emphasized his resolve to prevent Lebanon from relapsing into former crises, expressing confidence that the support of allies, especially Egypt and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, would help Lebanon reclaim its strength. Furthermore, Aoun affirmed the deep bond between the Lebanese and the Egyptian peoples, inviting the pope to visit Lebanon soon. After the meeting, the Lebanese president wrote a message of appreciation in the official guestbook before touring St. Mark's Cathedral, where he learned about its historical background, structure, and key milestones. Earlier Monday, Aoun arrived in Cairo on his first official visit to Egypt since taking office in January. He also met with President El-Sisi, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church congratulates Catholic church on election of Pope Leo XIV - Foreign Affairs
The Coptic Orthodox Church, led by Pope Tawadros II and its Holy Synod, congratulated the global Catholic Church on the election of Cardinal Robert Francis as the 267th Pope of the Vatican. On Thursday, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States after cardinals worldwide elected him to lead the Catholic Church's 1.4 billion followers, taking the name Leo XIV. 'We pray that the Lord may grant him grace and wisdom in leading the Catholic Church, support him in the immense responsibilities required of the one seated on the Apostolic See of Rome, enable him to bear witness to Christ everywhere, and uphold true faith values and authentic Christian principles,' read the Coptic Orthodox Church's statement. Pope Leo XIV succeeded Pope Francis, who died on 21 April at the age of 88. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Christians gather at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre to mourn Pope Francis
By Alexander Cornwell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Christians from around the world prayed for Pope Francis at a solemn Mass on Wednesday at Jerusalem's centuries-old Church of the Holy Sepulchre following the pontiff's passing this week. Some worshippers shed tears under the rotunda as prayers echoed, while others lit candles and knelt at the Stone of the Anointing, the stone slab where it is believed Jesus's body was prepared for burial. Among those who had gathered to honour Pope Francis was 55-year-old Palestinian Azzam Elias, from Bethlehem, who was only able to attend because he had received a permit from Israeli authorities to enter Jerusalem over the Easter holiday period. "God bless his soul. Pope Francis is an international figure. He called for peace, love, respect, dialogue between religions. This mass is something simple for such a person," he said. Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent reign in which he sought to overhaul an ancient and divided institution. "We pray because we are grateful for his work and what he's done for the Church, and we pray for his soul", said 24-year-old Constance, a French Catholic volunteering in Jerusalem. Constance, who asked that her surname not be published, said that, while not every Catholic had agreed with the late pontiff, it was important to pray for him. Francis, who became pope in 2013, pursued liberal reforms that were often divisive in the Vatican and beyond. UNITY The Mass was led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa and attended by other Christian denominations in the Holy Land, including from the Coptic Orthodox Church. Marwan Dides, a Palestinian Franciscan brother in Jerusalem, said the presence of other Christian denominations at the Mass held at one of Christianity's holiest sites was important. "We always pray for unity between Christians and we still have hope," he said, outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is revered as the site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial. The Holy Sepulchre is situated in the Old City's Christian Quarter in East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in a 1967 war and later annexed. The Armenian, Catholic and Greek churches share custody and the Coptic and Syrian churches have rights. Francis, who had advocated for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, visited Israel and the occupied West Bank in 2014. He went to the Western Wall, the most sacred prayer site in Judaism, and also prayed at a section of a wall built by Israel in the West Bank that separates Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The Israeli government shared and then deleted a social media post offering condolences over the death of Pope Francis, without saying why, though an Israeli newspaper linked the decision to the late pontiff's criticism of the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a far-right coalition of religious and nationalist parties, has not commented on the pope's death. Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday sent a message of condolence shortly after his passing. Francis had campaigned for an end to the war in Gaza, phoning the tiny Christian community there every evening. Relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism have improved in recent decades, after centuries of animosity.
Reuters
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Egypt's Coptic Orthodox church says Pope Francis was example of Christian humility
DUBAI, April 21 (Reuters) - Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church mourned Pope Francis on Monday, saying he was "a true example of Christian humility".
Egypt Today
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
First lady congratulates Copts on Easter, wishes Egyptians continued happiness
A file photo of Egypt's First Lady Entissar Amer CAIRO – 20 April 2025: First Lady Entissar Amer expressed her heartfelt congratulations for the Coptic people of Egypt on Easter. In a social media post on Sunday, the first lady extended her prayers to Allah to grant the Copts and all Egyptian people well-being, happiness, and lasting love. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also extended his congratulations and best wishes to Egyptian Copts on Easter in a social media post earlier on the day. 'I wish you a happy holiday filled with goodness and blessings, and may your families enjoy happiness and joy,' the president said in a message on his social media accounts. 'I pray that Allah preserves Egypt and its people, keeping it a beacon of tolerance and coexistence among all its citizens.' He prayed that 'the values of love and peace flourish, uniting us under the banner of one homeland.' 'Happy Easter to you all.' As Egyptian Copts celebrate Easter, Head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II led the Easter mass at Saturday night at the St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbasiya district. A representative of President Sisi attended the mass, alongside various ministers, high-level state officials, diplomats, public figures, and media professionals, joining hundreds of Christian worshippers.
