Pope Francis was not the only one leading this week's General Audience. He was joined by a special guest, Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II.
Tawadros II traveled to Rome to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III in 1973.
The two opened in prayer together in front of a rainy St. Peter's Square filled with hundreds of pilgrims and colorful umbrellas. Pope Francis spoke of their close friendship.
POPE FRANCIS
Tawadros came to see me for the first time on May 10 ten years ago and proposed to celebrate every May 10 the Coptic-Catholic Friendship Day, which we have been celebrating every year since that time. We call each other on the phone, send greetings and remain good brothers. We have not quarreled.
Towards the end of the audience, the Pope remembered the 21 Coptics who were martyred by ISIS in Libya in 2015.
POPE FRANCIS
And for the martyrs of the Coptic Church who are ours, I want to remember those on the beach who were made martyrs a few years ago.
Pope Francis closed the General Audience by asking the audience to pray for Pope Tawadros II and for protection of the entire Coptic Orthodox Church.
AT
