President of Hungary Visits Pope Tawadros II in Egypt, Emphasizes Commitment to Peace and Interfaith Harmony

 

Gerges Mounir Hanna – OCP News Service – 29/08/2023

Cairo-Egypt: Mrs.Katalin Novák, President of the Republic of Hungary, visited His Holiness Pope Tawadros II at the Papal Residence in Cairo as part of her official visit to Egypt on 28 November 2023. The meeting, marked by cordiality and shared values, highlighted the strong ties between Hungary and Egypt.

Upon arrival, President Nowak recorded a speech in the VIP visitors’ register of the Papal Residence. Subsequently, she joined His Holiness in the main reception hall, where the Pope extended a warm welcome, reminiscing about his visit to Hungary last August and expressing gratitude for the positive development of relations between the two countries.

President Nowak conveyed her happiness at meeting His Holiness and highlighted her recent positive meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. She noted the compatibility of their views and the importance of shared values, emphasizing the positive impact of their dialogue.

Expressing her admiration for Egypt’s rich civilization and Pharaonic antiquities, President Nowak praised the coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Egypt. She commended Pope Tawadros II for his role in fostering interfaith harmony and expressed Hungary’s commitment to contributing to peace in regions affected by conflict, particularly mentioning Gaza.

In response, Pope Tawadros II affirmed the strong bonds between Muslims and Christians in Egypt, underscoring the harmonious coexistence that sets Egypt apart in the Middle East region.

Accompanied by His Holiness, President Nowak visited the Great St. Mark’s Cathedral, where she learned about its history. She also visited the Petrine Church, gaining insights into its past and the resilience of its community following a terrorist incident in 2016. President Nowak lit candles at the Martyrs’ Shrine, where she met victims of the incident who were treated in Hungary, and engaged in a friendly conversation with a church worker.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation in the Egyptian government, was present at the meeting, further emphasizing the importance of diplomatic relations between the two nations. President Nowak expressed her intent to meet with His Holiness Pope Francis in the coming days to discuss further efforts for global peace.

The visit served as a testament to the enduring friendship between Hungary and Egypt, promoting cultural exchange, religious tolerance, and collaborative efforts for a more peaceful world.

Source:
OCP News Service

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