Coptic Pope Addresses Pilgrims in General Audience with Pope Francis

Joseph Turok

Pope Francis attended the weekly general audience of Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and delivered a special joint greeting to the faithful.

Pope Tawadros was the first head of another church to address the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Greetings from Tawadros

“Dear brother, Pope Francis,” said Pope Tawadros.

A Coptic Orthodox leader remembered his last visit to St. Peter’s Square ten years ago today. “I’m looking at this place,” he said.

Pope Tawadros recalled at the time suggesting that May 10, 2013 be celebrated as “Coptic-Catholic Friendship Day”. Since then, he and Pope Francis have spoken on the phone on that day every year.

A Coptic Orthodox leader thanked Francis for visiting Egypt in 2017, saying the country, home to his church, has ancient Christian roots and was the birthplace of monasticism. I remembered that

“Despite our differences in roots and affiliations, we are united by the love of Christ that dwells within us and by the Apostolic Fathers and the flock of saints who surround and guide us.”

Pope Francis’ reaction

Pope Francis said, “I am very pleased to greet Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark.”

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

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for your efforts to develop the friendly relations between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church,” the pope said.

Putting his prepared remarks aside for a moment, he turned to Pope Tawadros and joked that the two, who talk on the phone every year, “we remain good brothers and don’t even fight!” rice field.

Pope Francis concluded his address by addressing the Coptic bishops and congregation gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“With you,” he said.