Pope Tawadros II is expected to visit Kuwait tomorrow, Sunday 23 April. This is the first visit for the Pope to Kuwait, and it comes in response to an official invitation by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad.
Accompanying the Pope on his visit will be Anba Pachomius, Metropolitan of Beheira and Pentapolis; Anba Marcos, Bishop of Shubral-Kheima; and Anba Yusab, Bishop-General of Luxor; as well as the papal secretaries. The Pope will be received upon his arrival at the airport by the head of staff of the Emir, Sheikh Ali Gharah; Kuwait’s ambassador to Cairo, Muhammad al-Zuwaikh; Egypt’s ambassador to Kuwait, Yasser Atef; Anba Antonius, Metropolitan of Jerusalem, the Near East, and Kuwait; as well as the clergy of St Mark’s in Kuwait and a number of State officials.
According to Fr Bigoul al-Anba Bisoi, pastor of St Mark’s church in Kuwait, the Pope’s visit is expected to last five days. He will meet Emir Sabah al-Ahmad, the Speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament, the Prime Minister, and other top State officials.
The Coptic congregation in Kuwait, Fr Bigoul said, is overjoyed at the Pope’s visit. He will be holding several meetings with the congregation, and presiding over Holy Mass at St Mark’s.
Watani International
22 April 2017