Pope Francis recalls visit to Egypt


The Pope concluded a two day visit to Egypt on Saturday, April 29, 2017 and he commented on the visit in his Wednesday catechesis in Saint Peter’s Square on May 3, 2017.

francis tayyeb

View images from the visit here

View the Pope’s comments here

In his catechesis, the Pope explained his recent trip to Egypt to promote peace. The most symbolic event was his visit to Al-Azhar University, the highest academic institution of Sunni Islam. The Pope said: "This visit has had a double mission: the dialogue between Christians and Muslims, and at the same time, the promotion of peace in the world."

The Pope recalled the gestures and speeches in the land of the pyramids, such as the cordiality of the great Imam and the meeting with the president and civil authorities. "Egypt's great historical and religious heritage and its role in the Middle East give it a special mission on the road to a stable and lasting peace, based not on the law of force, but on the force of law."

The Pope also recalled his meeting with the Coptic Pope Tawadros II, and the agreement they signed to recognize the validity of baptism in each other's confession when converting.

Pope Francis was pleased with his visit and said this catechesis about the trip does not sway from the cycle about hope that has been going on for several months. "Egypt has been a symbol of hope, of refuge, of help. When there was famine in that part of the world, Jacob and his children took refuge there. Then when Jesus was persecuted, He went there. That is why the memories from this journey enter into the cycle of hope. For us, Egypt is a sign of hope for history and for today, for the fraternity that I have described to you."

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