🇻🇦 🇪🇬 🤝 🕯️ 🕊️ His holiness the pope of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis, has completed a two-days visit to Egypt which he described as “a pilgrimage of peace on the holy path of the sacred family in Egypt”. This visit was largely awaited by all Egyptians of all religions and backgrounds due to the large respect the Egyptians have for the pope, whom they see as a true messenger of peace and a symbol of humanitarian devotion. The visit was seen as an indicator of the strong friendship of of the pope and the Vatican with the Egyptian government and the Egyptian religious leadership. The visit also comes in light of the global efforts of the pope and the Egyptian leadership for global peace, religious coexistence and dialogue, and promotion of brotherhood and humanitarian efforts in the Middle East.
👏 🕯️ Pope Francis insisted to visit the land of the Pharaohs in order to light up the candles of peace for the whole world, and to meet with his dear friends in Egypt: president El-Sisi of Egypt, the Catholic Patriarch, the Orthodox Pope, and the Muslim Grand Imam. All Egyptians were eager to welcome his holiness, the pope, to his second home and to the Egyptian land of diversity and peace! 😀
💐👋💕🕊️💚🇪🇬 As all the Egyptians were awaiting the arrival of their dear and beloved friend Pope Francis, they dedicated a video (below) from the multicultural people of the blessed land of peace, the land of the Pharaohs, with love … they were all honoured to receive the respectful and humble pope of peace as a dear visitor and pilgrim to the cradle of civilizations … it was such a happy moment of peace, divinity, devotion, and brotherhood for the whole world … it was a shared feeling of peacefulness and unity which took over all the hearts of the Pharaohs and the world.
The 2-day program of the pope’s visit to Egypt was fully-scheduled with multiple important events including:
- Day 1: 1. Presidential welcome in the Presidential Palace in Egypt’s Capital, Cairo 2. Keynote speech of the pope in Al-Azhar’s first international conference of Peace and meeting with the Grand Imam of Muslims, Ahmed Al-Tayeb 3. Press conference of the Pope and the Egyptian president El-Sisi 4. Pope’s visit to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral to meet the Coptic Pope of Alexandria, Tawadros II
- Day 2: 4. A large mass in Cairo’s stadium with the Catholic religious figures of Egypt 5. A visit by the pope to the Christian theological school in Cairo
The visit was very successful in portraying the true message of religion and brotherhood to whole world. We highlight the main events in the visual reportage below.
Pope departs from Rome heading to Cairo for his 2-day visit to Egypt
In preparation of the arrival of Pope Francis to Egypt, the streets of Cairo were decorated to welcome the dear guest and pilgrim to Egypt
The Pope arrives to Cairo and is received and welcomed by the Egyptian prime minister and Egyptian religious figures
💓 🕊️ 🕯️ Welcome to the holy land of peace and the cradle of civilization … welcome to the blessed land of the Pharaohs … may the God bless you and all the lovers of Jesus Christ and lovers of peace and humanity! You are welcome as a respectful and honourable guest and dear pilgrim on the holy path of mother Mary and Jesus Christ within the blessed land of the Pharaohs … 🙂
Pope Francis is formally welcomed in Egypt at the Presidential palace in Cairo by president El-Sisi
Pope Francis was welcomed by the president of Egypt El-Sisi, a personal friend of pope Francis who visited him in the Vatican a couple of years ago. The pope received a formal welcome and a reception by the government officials of Egypt.
Pope Francis delivers the keynote speech in Al-Azhar Islamic University in Cairo, Egypt during the first International Conference for peace organised by Al-Azhar (the de-facto global representative and administration of the religion of Islam)
Pope Francis delivered a keynote speech during Al-Azhars International conference of Peace, alongside his dear friend, Grand imam of Muslims, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Egypt. The conference was attended by the Muslim scholars and clerics studying in Al-Azhar university of Egypt, the Christian leadership in Egypt, and the government officials of Egypt.
During his keynote speech, pope Francis praised the historic and continuous role which Egypt plays for global peace, including the historical role of hosting the sacred family with mother Mary and Jesus Christ, where Egypt was the refuge for them. Also, both the pope and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar denounced any act of hate or terrorism committed in the name of God and religion and stated that “together we affirm the incompatibility of violence and faith, belief and hatred”.
✝️🤝 ☪️🛐 💙 From Cairo, the capital of peace and religions, both the pope and the grand imam affirmed the true message of religion, the true message of brotherhood, the true message of humanity, the true message of peace, the true message of love. May love, friendship, and peace prevail in the whole world! 😀 🕊️ ☮️ May the whole world unite under this blessed message of humanity and brotherhood … 🙂
Pope Francis delivers a speech hosted by the Egyptian presidency and addressed to the Egyptian authorities and government
During his speech, pope Francis called Egypt “the mother of all civilisations” and stressed on the key role Egypt plays for peace in the region and in the whole world. The pope ended his speech with the Egyptian words of “Tahya Masr” meaning “long live Egypt / Viva Egypt”. During his speech, the pope has also prayed for Egypt and the Egyptians for peace and prosperity.
After a long day, Pope Francis relaxes on the Nile of Cairo to admire the beauty of the city
Pope Francis and the Catholic Church organise a huge mass in Cairo’s Stadium attended by 25 thousand Egyptians
The Vatican pope visits the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church and meets with the Coptic pope of Alexandria
Both popes sign a historic mutual agreement to accept baptism from each church which is seen as a sign of stronger and warmer relationships between both Christian churches. Pope Francis also participated in the prayers conducted in the Coptic Orthodox cathedral for peace and blessings in Egypt, the whole region, and the Middle East. Both popes are close friends and have met before in previous years in the Vatican.
The pope visits the Coptic Catholic theological school in Cairo, Egypt and conducts public mass there
Pope Francis met with the leadership of the Egyptian Coptic Catholic church and discussed with them how to continue strongly on their road of development, charity, and spirituality for continued prosperity in Egypt.
Pope’s farewell at the airport by president El-Sisi of Egypt
The Egyptian president escorted Pope Francis to his plane flying back to Rome from Cairo’s airport for a final farewell. It was a farewell between two honourable and humble leaders & friends… what a blessed two days of friendship and constructive dialogue for global peace it was … certainly a historic visit of peace and friendship for the whole world! 🙂
In the end of the popes 2-day visit to Egypt, all Egyptians expressed their gratitude for the pope’s visit to Egypt, thanking him for passing-by this pilgrimage path and hoping to see him back again. They also prayed for him, may he always be blessed wherever he goes, and may the world be always filled with those huge emotions of love! 🙂
Goodbye Papa Francisco … such a friendly and adorable person with a merciful smile which never leaves his face … everybody from all religions and backgrounds love you … goodbye for now until another time, you will be missed!! 😀
Sources: Youm7 (Arabic), Al-Ahram (English), Radio Vaticana Article 1 (English), Radio Vaticana Article 2 (English)
Egypt United – Voice of the pharaohs 