In the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis met with the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II.
During the visit, Pope Francis touched on the importance of moving forward on the ecumenical journey. He highlighted the work started by their predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Coptic Pope Shenouda III.
POPE FRANCIS
The encounter of our illustrious Predecessors has never ceased to bear fruit in the journey of our Churches toward full communion.
As a sign of friendship, Pope Francis announced that the 21 Coptic men martyred in Libya in 2015 will be added to the Roman martyrology, which is the Catholic Church's catalog of saints.
POPE FRANCIS
I am pleased to announce today that, with Your Holiness' consent, these 21 martyrs will be included in the Roman Martyrology as a sign of the spiritual communion that unites our two Churches.
Following Pope Francis' speech, Pope Tawadros presented him with some relics of these 21 martyrs.
I will try to make an altar in one of our basilicas in honor of the martyrs.
Pope Tawadros also gave Pope Francis an egg shaped statue with the image of the Holy Family.
After the two exchanged gifts, they spent a few moments in prayer at the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Apostolic Palace.
At the end of the prayer, Pope Francis recited the Our Father in English.
KG
