Upon his arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by a Minister delegated by the President of the Republic; by the Patricarch of Alexandria for Coptic Catholics and the President of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy of Egypt, His Beatitude, Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak; by the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Bruno Musarò; by the Bishop of Luxor, His Excellency, Emmanuel Bishay, who is the local coordinator of this voyage; and by the Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature, Reverend Jan Thomas Limchua.
The Holy Father then travelled by car to the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis for the official welcoming ceremonies.
Welcoming Ceremonies at the Presidential Palace
and courtesy visit to the President of the Republic
At 2:30pm this afternoon, there was a welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis. Upon his arrival, the Holy Father, Pope Francis was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Egypt, Mister Abdel-Fattah Al-Sìsi.
Following the playing of national anthems and the presentation of military honours, the Pope and the President entered the Palace accompanied by their respective delegations. A protocol photograph was then taken before the Pope and the President entered into private discussions.
At the conclusion of their meeting, gifts were exchanged. The Holy Father presented a medallion to the President that depicts the flight to Egypt of the Holy Family on one side. In the background typical features of the country are visible: palms, the Pyramids and, on the right, the Nile. The work, by the artist Daniela Longo, is inspired by a Coptic icon written by Sr. Maria Carla, of the Little Sisters of Jesus.
Pope Francis then travelled by car to the Al-Azhar University where he paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Imam.
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