Pope Tawadros II Meets with Singapore’s President, Discusses Inter-Religious Harmony

copticorthodox.church

Gerges Mounir Hanna – OCP News Service – 23/09/2025

Cairo – Egypt: His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, received Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the President of the Republic of Singapore, and his accompanying delegation on Monday, September 22, 2025. The meeting took place at the Papal Residence in Cairo.

Pope Tawadros II expressed his joy at the visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which he noted is the oldest church in Africa. He also highlighted Egypt’s rich history, encompassing Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic, Arab, African, Mediterranean, and Greco-Roman civilizations. Recalling his own time studying in Singapore, the Pope praised its development and progress.

Emphasizing the importance of inter-religious peace, His Holiness said that the Church’s relationships with state institutions and other religious bodies are built on love. “Love is the foundation of social peace,” he said, noting the complete harmony between Christians and Muslims in Egypt.

President Shanmugaratnam praised Pope Tawadros’s message of love and commended the strong relationship between the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, describing it as a positive model for the world. He also noted the influential role of Singapore’s small but impactful Christian community.

Following the meeting, Pope Tawadros accompanied the President on a tour of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral.

OCP News Service