(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent a Message to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria on Sunday, to mark two years since the Coptic Patriarch’s visit to the Holy See. In the Message, the Holy Father speaks of the present suffering of Christians in many parts of the world, and especially of the persecution of the Coptic Christians, whom Pope Tawadros leads. “Today more than ever we are united by the ecumenism of blood, which further encourages us on the path towards peace and reconciliation,” writes Pope Francis. “I assure you and the Christian community in Egypt and throughout the Middle East of my unceasing prayer,” continues Pope Francis, promising to remember in particular the Coptic faithful recently martyred for their Christian faith. Below, please find the official text, in English, of the Message from Pope Francis to Pope Tawadros ******************************************* To His Holiness Tawadros II Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark As the second anniversary of our fraternal meeting in Rome is at hand, I wish to express to Your Holiness my prayerful best wishes for your well-being, as well as my appreciation for the spiritual bonds which unite the See of Peter and the See of Mark. Today more than ever we are united by the ecumenism of blood, which further encourages us on the path towards peace and reconciliation. I assure you and the Christian community in Egypt and throughout the Middle East of my unceasing prayer, and I remember in particular the Coptic faithful recently martyred for their Christian faith. May the Lord welcome them into his Kingdom. With thanksgiving to the Lord, I recall our advances along the path of friendship, united as we are by one baptism. Though our communion is yet imperfect, what we have in common is greater than what divides us. May we persevere on our journey to full communion, and grow in love and understanding. It is particularly encouraging that the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches has recently finalized the document The Exercise of Communion in the Life of the Early Church and its Implications for our Search for Communion Today . I am certain that Your Holiness shares my hope that this vital dialogue will carry on and bear abundant fruit. I am especially grateful for the willingness of the Patriarchate of the See of Saint Mark to hold the next meeting of the Commission in Cairo. Christians throughout the world are facing similar challenges, which require us to work together in confronting these issues. I appreciate your appointment last year of a delegate to participate in the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops dedicated to the family. It is my hope that our cooperation in this area may continue, especially in addressing matters related to mixed marriages. With these sentiments, and recalling what has rightly become known as the day of friendship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, I exchange with Your Holiness a fraternal embrace in Christ the Lord. From the Vatican, 10 May 2015 (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of Cuba, Raul Castro, on Sunday morning in private audience at the Vatican. A note from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, explains that Castro arrived at 9:30 AM, and stayed a little over an hour, during the course of which the Pope and the President spent considerable time in conversation in the Holy Father’s study inside the Paul VI Hall.
The meeting between the Pope and the President lasted over 50 minutes, and was very friendly. The President told reporters before leaving the Vatican that he had thanked the Holy Father for the active role he played in favor of improving relations between Cuba and the United States of America, and also presented to the Pope the sentiments of the Cuban people – sentiments of expectation and preparation for the Holy Father’s visit the island in September.
The note also reports a significant exchange of gifts: the President of Cuba gave the Pope a precious commemorative medal of the Cathedral of Havana, and a framed work of contemporary art, which depicts a large Ccross composed of the relics of wrecked barges, before which is present a migrant in prayer. The Cuban artist Kcho, who was present, told the Pope that he was inspired by Francis’ great commitment to bringing the plight of migrants and refugees to the attention of the wider world, especially through the Pope’s visit to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. The Pope gave the President a copy of his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium , and a large medallion which represents St. Martin in the act of covering the poor with his cloak. The Pope noted that he was particularly happy to give this last gift, as it recalls not only the duty to help and protect the poor, but also actively to promote dignity.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of Cuba, Raul Castro, on Sunday morning in private audience at the Vatican. A note from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, explains that Castro arrived at 9:30 AM, and stayed a little over an hour, during the course of…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of Cuba, Raul Castro, on Sunday morning in private audience at the Vatican. A note from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, explains that Castro arrived at 9:30 AM, and stayed a little over an hour, during the course of…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of Cuba, Raul Castro, on Sunday morning in private audience at the Vatican. A note from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, explains that Castro arrived at 9:30 AM, and stayed a little over an hour, during the course of…
Read more