His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, paid a visit to the Embassy of the United States of America in Cairo. His Beatitude was warmly welcomed to his home, within the grounds of the Embassy by the Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Thomas Goldberg, together with Mr. Patrick Collins, of the department of policy and foreign affairs of the American Embassy.
His Beatitude made extensive mention of the presence of the Patriarchate on the African continent, with particular reference to the enormous missionary and social work done through the Metropolises and the Dioceses of the Patriarchate in the African countries. He then thanked the American Chargé d’Affaires for the assistance and the decisive contribution of America through the eponymous and anonymous missionaries contributing to the humanitarian work of the Patriarchate, as well as for its help in providing care to His Grace Athanasios Bishop of Kisumu, Athanasios, who is being treated at Saint Vincent Hospital in Boston. He addressed a personal invitation to the Ambassador to visit the Patriarchate of Alexandria and wished both him and the American people. Many years on the imminent Feasts of Christmas and the New Year, expressing the will that at some point in the near future, he could visit the United States. Finally, during his speech, he expressed his love for and gratitude to His Excellency the President of Egypt Mr. Abdel Fatah Al Sisi, for the protection which it affords the Patriarchate.
His Excellency the Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador thanked His Beatitude for the briefing done on issues of missionary efforts and assured him that his country will continue to assist the enormous and important work which the Patriarchate does in Africa. Then, accepting the Patriarch’s invitation to visit the See of the Patriarchate in Alexandria soon, he also wished the Alexandrian Primate many years for the coming festive season, assuring him that whenever he wishes to visit the United States of America, he himself will personally contribute to the successful realization of this trip, which he defined as an honour for his country.
His Beatitude was accompanied to the American Embassy by His Eminence Nicodemus Metropolitan of Memphis, Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Timotheos Kapsalis.
