Presidential official spokesman Alaa Youssef said that Vatican's Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Cairo on April 28, as Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi will hold official reception ceremony and conduct a meeting with him immediately after his arrival. He added, in a press statement issued on Monday, "The program will include a festivity to mark the visit, as both President Sisi and Pope Francis will deliver words before the attendants. The pope will also hold a meeting with Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed Al Tayeb and will deliver a speech before International Conference of Peace scheduled to be hosted by the Sheikhdom." The Catholic pope will also meet with Patriarch of Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II, according to the statement, as he will participate in the prayers for the souls of victims of the terrorist attack that targeted Boutrosia Church in December. The Egyptian official added that Francis will head a liturgy on April 29 and hold a meeting with Catholic clerics in Egypt. Yossed renewed Egypt's welcome of the first visit conducted by Pope Francis to Egypt, expressing aspiration to this important visit aiming to support peace and principles of tolerance and coexistence.
