Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II met with President Muhammad Morsi (Mursī) yesterday (May 23) evening in order to convey his congratulations on the freeing of soldiers who were held hostage in Sinai by terrorist elements. In his weekly sermon from Saint Mark Cathedral in al-’Abbasīyyāh, the Pope stated “I thank the President, Egyptian Armed Forces, police forces and all the security agencies which participated in the release operation of the hostages”. He added, “May God protect Egypt and aid it in the avoidance of all crises” (Author not mentioned, al-Misrī al-Yawm, May 24, p. 5). Read original text in Arabic.