Cairo Together – His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received at the papal residence in Cairo today, Wednesday, Hani Al-Hayek, the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Minister of State for the Affairs of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Farsin Shaheen, and Ambassador Diab Al-Louh, the Palestinian Ambassador to Cairo, and their accompanying delegation.

His Holiness the Pope welcomed his guests, saying: ‘We are happy to have you visit the Coptic Orthodox Church and we inhale from you the holy scents coming from Palestine.’ He pointed out that both the land of Egypt and the land of Palestine have a special place in the Holy Bible, as Egypt was mentioned in it about 700 times, as well as Palestine. He pointed out that Jesus Christ After he was born in the land of Palestine, he came to Egypt, fleeing from the face of the tyrant Herod, and thus Egypt was for him, a land of guarding and protection, so Egypt is called the Land of the Canaan.’

Regarding the situation in the Palestinian Ter
ritory, His Holiness said: ‘We are very sad about what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, and these events clearly reveal the darkness that fills the hearts of people. If there is something positive in the scene, it is the recent recognition by the United Nations and some European countries of the State of Palestine. There are some countries that have begun to consider imposing sanctions on the occupying entity against the backdrop of what is happening in Palestine, and we trust that God is able to do good in the Holy Lands and protect all the sanctities there.

His Holiness praised the efforts of the leaders of the Palestinian state, President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen, Prime Minister Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, and the Palestinian government, pointing to the scenes of children experiencing harsh events, something that disturbs and pains us because of the negative impact of these matters on these children now and in the future.

For his part, the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities expressed his hap
piness at his visit to the Coptic Church and meeting with His Holiness the Pope. Pointing to the appreciation of the Palestinian government and people for Egypt and His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, as well as the Coptic Church and His Holiness the Pope for their permanent support for Palestine, praising Egypt’s permanent participation in Palestine in bearing the pain and suffering affecting the Palestinian people, especially the genocide that the Palestinians are currently facing, as well as Egypt’s support for its brothers. In the fields of health, education and relief.

Minister Hayek indicated that despite the current difficult circumstances, the Ministry of Tourism is continuing its efforts to encourage religious tourism from Egypt, Jordan and the Arab Ocean to Palestine and the Holy Lands, whenever conditions improve, which will contribute strongly to supporting the economy and the Palestinian cause, expressing his hope that the current crisis will end. Soon visits and tourism will return t
o Palestine.

For her part, Dr. Farsin Shaheen stressed the importance of ending the occupation as soon as possible, and stressed the necessity of preserving the Christian presence in the Middle East in general and in Palestine in particular.

Pointing out that the approximately 300 Palestinian Christian institutions play a major role in serving the entire Palestinian community economically and socially. The Christians of Palestine, despite their small number, have a very great supportive influence through these institutions, which is something that must be preserved for the sake of Palestine.

Ambassador Diab Al-Louh spoke, conveying the greetings of His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, and the Palestinian people, to His Holiness the Pope, appreciating His Holiness’s continued support for the Palestinians.

He added: ‘We always learn from you, and from your positions, we learn from you to create and maintain patriotism, especially the historical saying: A homeland with
out churches is better than churches without a homeland.’ Ambassador Diab Al-Louh pointed out that the successful model of coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Egypt is being applied in society. Palestinian, pointing out that the attacks targeted Palestinian sanctities indiscriminately, so 3 churches were destroyed, and that the 36,000 martyrs and 80,000 wounded included, of course, Christians.

In conclusion, the Palestinian ministerial delegation presented a gift to His Holiness the Pope, which consisted of a stone piece from the Church of the Nativity, and some Christian icons made with high quality by Palestinian hands. His Holiness presented them with an icon of the Holy Family and some souvenirs.

The meeting was attended by His Eminence Bishop Antonius, Metropolitan of the Holy See of Jerusalem and the Near East, Archbishop Sergius Sergius, General Prosecutor of the Patriarchate in Cairo, the Rev. Cyril Bishop Bishop Bishoy, Director of His Holiness the Pope’s Office, Archbishop Musa Ibrahim,
spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, a number of monastic fathers from Jerusalem, and Deacon Joseph Reda, deacon of His Holiness the Pope. .

Source: Maan News Agency