Pope Tawadros II begins historic visit to Vatican

Ahram Online – 9/5/13

Leader of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church arrives in Rome for first such visit in 40 years.

Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II has arrived in Rome to begin a historic visit to the Vatican. The pope will meet with his Catholic counterpart, the recently elected Pope Francis, on Friday.

The visit will be the first time a Coptic Orthodox leader has visited the Vatican in 40 years. This is also the first overseas trip by Pope Tawadros II since his anointment in November. The meeting between the two popes will aim to foster greater dialogue between Catholic and Coptic Christians.

Egypt has 250,000 Catholics and 10 million Coptic Christians. The pope will also meet representatives of the Coptic Church in Rome.

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