POPE FRANCIS CELEBRATES IN SANTA MARTA WITH THE CATHOLIC COPTIC PATRIARCH SIDRAK: MAY PEACE ARISE AGAIN IN THE HOLY LAND AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Vatican City, 8 December 2013 (VIS) – “Let us pray with trust that in the Holy Land and in all the Middle East peace may always arise again from the all too frequent and often dramatic interruptions. Let let enmity and divisions cease for ever”. This was the Pope's appeal during the morning Mass in the Santa Marta guesthouse, concelebrated with the Partriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts, Ibrahim Isaac Sidrik, as a public demonstration of the ecclesiastical communion sought by the Patriarch and conceded by Pope Benedict XVI.

Francis cited the prophet Isaiah, who “reawakened in our hearts the wait for the glorious return of the Lord”, commenting that “the encouragement to those with 'fearful hearts' we feel to be addressed to those in the beloved land of Egypt, who experience insecurity and violence, at times because of their Christian faith. 'Be strong; do not fear!' These are the words of consolation that find confirmation in fraternal solidarity. I am grateful to God for this encounter, which gives me a way of reinforcing your – and our – hope, which is one and the same”.

VIS news - Holy See Press Office: THE POPE CELEBRATES IN SANTA MARTA WITH THE CATHOLIC COPTIC PATRIARCH: MAY PEACE ARISE AGAIN IN THE HOLY LAND AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Here are the full texts of Their Holinesses addresses.