Pope Francis and Coptic Orth. Pope Meet in Rome; Promote Ecumenical Dialogue as Prelude to Unity

The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II -- Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark -- met with Pope Francis yesterday (May 10) in a historical meeting held in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, the Zenit website reports today (May 11, 2013).

This is the first time in 40 years that a Coptic Pope has met with the Pope of Rome. On May 10, 1973, Pope Shenouda III met with Pope Paul VI and signed an important Christological Declaration in common and initiated bilateral ecumenical dialogue between the two Churches.

"May this visit of love and brotherhood be the first of a long series between our two great Churches. Therefore, I propose that the 10th of May of each year should be considered as a celebration of brotherly love between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church," the Pope of Alexandria said.

He added, "Both Churches, the Catholic and the Coptic, have always worked together, in the Middle East and in the Western World, to make peace prevail. The most important aim for both is the promotion of ecumenical dialogue in order to get to the most pursued goal: unity."