VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis called His Holiness Father Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alessandria, to express his condolences for the recent attack to the Coptic Cathedral of Saint Mark in Abassiya, Cairo.

 The head of the Roman Catholic Church expressed his support for the Patriarch and towards the Coptic community in such challenging times, especially reaching out to the women and children which represent the highest percentages amongst the victim count.

 Father Tawadros II remembers a particular phrase the pontiff said during their meeting at the Vatican, referring to the “ecumenism of blood," as the pope claimed, “We are united in the blood of our martyrs.”

 Pope Francis promised to pray for the Coptic community in occasion of the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.

 The Patriarch then thanked the head of the Holy See for his aid in this difficult time and has asked for the pontiff to pray for the Coptic community and for peace in Egypt.

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