Message to His Holiness Anba Tawadros, Pope-elect of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, 5 November 2012

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI
TO HIS HOLINESS ANBA TAWADROS, POPE-ELECT OF ALEXANDRIA AND PATRIARCH OF THE SEE OF SAINT MARK

His Holiness Anba Tawadros
Pope-elect of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark

I was filled with joy on learning of your election as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark and I gladly extend to you and to the clergy and faithful of the Coptic Orthodox Church my good wishes and prayerful solidarity, asking the Lord to pour out his abundant blessings upon the lofty ministry you are about to assume. I am confident that, like your renowned predecessor Pope Shenouda III, you will be a genuine spiritual father for your people and an effective partner with all your fellow-citizens in building the new Egypt in peace and harmony, serving the common good and the good of the entire Middle East. In these challenging times it is important for all Christians to bear witness to the love and fellowship that binds them together, mindful of the prayer offered by our Lord at the Last Supper: that all may be one, so that the world may believe (cf Jn 17:21). I thank the Almighty for the important progress that was made, under the leadership of your esteemed predecessor, in the relations between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, and I earnestly hope and pray that our continuing friendship and dialogue, guided by the Holy Spirit, will bear fruit in ever closer solidarity and lasting reconciliation. May our heavenly Father fill you with peace and strength for the noble task that awaits you.

BENEDICTUS PP XVI