Pope Francis in Egypt: message of solidarity, happiness to world

Cairo - Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity, Ghada Wali, participated in the Mass led by Pope Francis II at the Air Defense Stadium in New Cairo amid his official visit to Egypt.
 
She expressed her delight in witnessing this event among other ministers and high-profile state officials. Wali said, "There was a state of joy, spirituality and love among the attendants who prayed for Egypt's security and safety."

The minister added that she was touched by the words of Pope Francis, who prayed for Egypt and its people, army and government, and expressed his gratitude to Egypt for receiving him.

"True faith is to defend the rights of others with the same power that we defend our rights," Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis’ visit comes less than a month after the terrorist group The Islamic State (IS) had bombed two churches in Egypt, leaving 47 dead and more than 100 injured. He also prayed at St Paul Church where a deadly attack had taken place in December 2016, leaving 29 dead.

This is the first official visit of the Pope to Egypt since he assumed the Papacy in 2013. However, it’s his second visit to the Middle East after his visit to Jordan and Palestine in 2014.