Pope Tawadros II has confirmed that his visit to Germany, which started on 12 October and ended abruptly on 22 October, had been interrupted for health reasons.
In his weekly meeting with the congregation, the Pope said he had been in Germany for several purposes: to participate a convention for the patriarchs and bishops of Middle Eastern Churches, titled “Christianity in the Middle East: Challenges and Future”; to meet the Coptic Church bishops in Germany and also the congregation; and also for medical tests and investigation since he has long suffered from severe back pains.
The Pope said he had been advised by his doctors in Cairo to go to Germany for consultation at a hospital specialised in vertebral column surgery; this is why he landed at Germany one week before the convention of Middle Eastern patriarchs. He said that the doctors in Germany advised against back surgery at the time being, but recommended at least two weeks of full rest.
“It was impossible that I should not take part in the Middle East patriarchs’ meeting, a meeting that was hosted by the German Catholic Church,” Pope Tawadros said. “Participating in that meeting, apart from us, were the patriarchs of the Syriac, Armenian, and Indian Churches. The Coptic Church is the largest in the Middle East, and we had to be there in support of our sister Churches. It was a very good meeting, and I gave a word on behalf of the Coptic Church, that will be printed in Arabic translation in the upcoming issue of al-Kiraza magazine.” Al-Kiraza is the mouthpiece of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The patriarchs were received by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and head of the Catholic Church in Germany Cardinal Reinhard Marx.
However, owing to recurring sever pains in his back, Pope Tawadros said had to return home but promised to go back for a pastoral visit to Germany as soon as he could.
Watani International
29 October 2017