Shortly before his departure for Johannesburg and immediately following the Enthronement ceremony of His Eminence Gennadios Bishop of Botswana, on 2nd June 2012, His Holiness Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa visited the Princess Marina Hospital , where children suffering from HIV/AIDS are being cared for.
His Holiness was welcomed at the entrance of the Hospital by the Director, doctors, nurses, social workers and parents of the children. His Holiness was given information about the operation of the hospital and in his turn spoke of the great campaign undertaken by the Patriarchate and himself personally against the scourge of AIDS and trafficking throughout Africa and internationally. He spoke to the doctors about the participation of the Patriarchate in international forums and at the United Nations regarding information and prevention of this scourge.
He then walked through all the wards where children are cared for, gave out gifts, and his blessings and spoke with emotion giving the parents and the children courage. On his departure, he assured all of his continued interest in and of his efforts of implementation of medical programmes together with the well-known euro-parliamentarian and surgeon, Dr Eleni Theocharous from Cyprus, who was with His Holiness, together with the collaboration of his representative in the country, His Eminence Gennadios.
