News

Coptic Christian Pope on Church’s First Papal Visit to Jerusalem Since 1967

Coptic Christian Pope on Church’s First Papal Visit to Jerusalem Since 1967

ijntmldf01

Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II visited Jerusalem on Thursday to lead the funeral marking the first visit by a Pope from the Coptic Church to Jerusalem since 1967.

The Pope made the trip to lead funeral prayers for Bishop Abraham, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Near East.

Described as an “exceptional trip” in statements to Ahram Online, the spokesperson of the Coptic Orthodox Church said that the Church will not be changing its stance on visiting the Holy Lands. The spokesperson added that the Pope will return to Cairo immediately after the funeral prayers.

The ban on pilgrimages to Israel was issued by Pope Shenouda III in 1979. The Church says the ban is a result of Israel’s occupation of Jerusalem.

Despite the ban, a number of Coptic Christians often visit Jerusalem for pilgrimages.

For Muslims, similar fatwas (edicts) have been issued advising Muslims against visiting Jerusalem as a result of Israel’s occupation.

 

 

Egyptian Weightlifter Lands Two Bronze Medals, Breaks Records at World Championship
Egypt and Russia: Friends with Benefits?

Subscribe to our newsletter


News

More in News

Egyptian Court Denies Adoptive Family Custody of ‘Baby Shenouda’, Citing Lack of Jurisdiction

Egyptian Streets19 March 2023

Khaled El-Balshy Elected as Head of Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate

Farah Rafik18 March 2023

Egypt’s Giza and Saqqara Among 2023 World’s Greatest Places: TIME

Egyptian Streets17 March 2023

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities: Egypt Recorded 11.7 Million Tourists in 2022

Dina Khadr16 March 2023

By 2024, Egyptians May Be Required to Speak French by Law

Dina Khadr15 March 2023

Egypt to Provide EGP 1,000 Annually for Egyptian Women to Curb Population Growth

Egyptian Streets15 March 2023

RiseUp Summit’s 10th Edition at the Grand Egyptian Museum: What You Need to Know

Farah Rafik14 March 2023

National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics: Ramadan 2023 to Start on 23 March

Marina Makary12 March 2023