On Monday, Apr. 16, Pope Tawadros met the families of seven victims of the incidents at al-Khusūs and Saint Mark's Cathedral. This meeting came after the Pope ended his seclusion (retreat from public life) at Saint Bishoy (Bīshūy) Monastery in Wādī al-Natrūn. The Church did not allow any media to be present at the meeting.

A number of the families said in press statements following the meeting that the Pope distributed crosses, books, and offered them his condolences. Some said the meeting was a disappointment because they were hoping that the pope would talk to them about what the Cathedral would do with those responsible. They asked the Pope not to forget about the rights of the martyrs.

In a related development, sources of the Church revealed to al-Watan that the Presidency contacted the Church to schedule an appointment between the Pope and officials of the Presidency. According to Father Angelous Ishāq, secretary of Pope Tawadros, the postponement of this meeting is a result of the pain and grief felt by the families of the victims (Mustafá Rahūmah, al-Watan, Apr. 16, p. 3). Read original text in Arabic.