PRESS
RELEASE
For
immediate use
10
May 2013
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK Media and Communications Office
Official Media Office for The Coptic Orthodox Church in Europe
His
Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa
on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark visited His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop
of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on the 9th and
10th of May 2013.
This historic visit
marks 40 years since His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III, and His Holiness
the late Pope Paul VI signed the Christological agreement between their respective
Churches in the Vatican in 1973.
Accompanying Pope
Tawadros, are His Eminence Metropolitan Pakhomious of Boheira and Pentapolis, His
Eminence Metropolitan Hedra of Aswan, His Grace Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles,
HG Bishop Kyrellos of Milan, HG Bishop Raphaeil, General secretary of the Holy
Synod, HG Bishop Barnaba of Turin, HG Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the
Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, HG Bishop Epiphanious, Abbot of
the monastery of St Macarious, and Papal secretaries Father Angelos Ishak and
Father Seraphim el Souriani.
In his official address Pope
Tawadros said:
‘We appreciate all we have in common
and need to work together to improve the relationships between our ancient
Churches and prepare our people for our greater unity.’
In response to Pope
Tawadros, Pope Francis said:
‘I am convinced
that – under the guidance of the Holy Spirit – our persevering prayer, our
dialogue and the will to build communion day by day in mutual love will allow
us to take important further steps towards full unity.’
Speaking from Rome as
part of the official delegation accompanying His Holiness Pope Tawadros, HG
Bishop Angaelos, also Co-chair of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum
in the United Kingdom said:
‘This has been a historic meeting, as
it is the first international visit by Pope Tawadros II, who is also the first
head of Church to be received by Pope Francis after his installation. During
this visit we have seen, in the two fathers of these ancient Apostolic
Churches, a real commitment to working together for realised unity.
While centuries have kept us apart for
a variety of reasons, it is clear that continued ecumenical dialogue and relations
over the past decades have continued to bring us closer.’
The formal meeting was
followed by a private prayer service in Pope Francis’ private chapel, led by
Pope Tawadros and Pope Francis.
*Ends*
Resources
Address
of the Holy Father Pope Francis to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
Coverage
on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/BishopAngaelos
