Welcome ceremony at the international airport of Cairo

Welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace and courtesy visit to the President of the Republic

Welcome ceremony at the international airport of Cairo

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father Francis, which left Rome this morning at 11.07, arrived at 14.15 at the international airport of Cairo.

Upon arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by a minister delegate of the President of the Republic, the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, and the President of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy of Egypt, His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, the apostolic nuncio His Excellency Bruno Musarò, the bishop of Luxor and local coordinator, His Excellency Emmanuel Bishay, and the secretary of the apostolic nunciature, Rev. Jan Thomas Limchua.

The Pope then transferred by car to the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis for the welcome ceremony.

At 14.30 this afternoon the welcome ceremony took place in the Presidential Palace of Heliopolis. Upon arrival the Holy Father Francis was received by the President of the Republic of Egypt, Abdel-Fattah Al- Sìsi.

After the performance of the national anthems and the military honours, the Pope and the President entered the Palace, in the presence of restricted delegations. After the protocol photograph, they entered the room where their private meeting took place.

Following the meeting, gifts were exchanged. The Pope then travelled by car to Al-Azhar for the courtesy visit to the Grand Imam.