Pope Tawadros II arrived at Kuwait this morning, 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 is 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 Fr Ammonius Adel and Fr Angaelos Ishaq.
The Pope was 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.
This afternoon, his first in Kuwait, Pope Tawadros held Vespers service at St Mark’s. He was received with resounding enthusiasm by the congregation, many of whom took the day off from their work in order to meet him. He promised he would meet the Coptic families after the service.
Watani International
23 April 2017