In a closed meeting between Azhar Shaykh Ahmad al-Tayyīb and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II at the cathedral, the repercussions of the latest events of violence were discussed along with possible attempts to calm the next phase.
A source of the Church revealed that the Pope has taken a surprising decision to cancel the solace. The Pope had decided to receive public figures to offer condolences for those killed in the latest violence. He had informed members of Coptic Movements of the necessity to remain calm in the proximity of the cathedral during the official visit. Fearing protests from the youth of Coptic Movements however, the Pope decided to cancel the solace.
The source added that the Pope will receive condolences on Sunday, Apr. 21, and tomorrow, Apr. 18, he will pray at Saint George (Mār Jirjis) Church in Heliopolis. It has been suggested that the Pope has offered EgP20,000 material support for each of the victims’ families.
The Pope also met with Shaykh Mahmūd ‘Azab and the Vatican nuncio to Cairo. The Papacy had rejected the announcement of any details of the meeting and continues to refuse journalists to be present at the meetings without offering any reasons for this refusal.
Dr. Sūzī ‘Adlī, a member of the Shūrá Council, has said that the meeting between the delegation with the Pope suggests that initiatives are being taken to unify the people of Egypt. She added that the delegation offered their condolences and stressed that the perpetrators must be punished and that results of the investigations have to be announced (Sanā’ Hashīsh and ‘Abd al-Wahāb Sha'bān, al-Wafd, Apr. 17, p. 2). Read original text in Arabic.
