Vatican City, Apr 25, 2017 / 16:25 pm
Pope Francis expressed his joy for his upcoming trip to Cairo in a video message, saying he hopes to bring peace and friendship to all Egyptian citizens.
"I am truly happy to come as a friend, as a messenger of peace and as a pilgrim to the Country that gave, more than two thousand years ago, refuge and hospitality to the Holy Family fleeing from the threats of King Herod," the Pope said an April 25 video message.
The video shows Pope Francis expressing his excitement to visit the land "where Patriarchs and Prophets lived," and wishes to bring strength and comfort to the Christian community.
"I hope that this visit will be an embrace of consolation and of encouragement to all Christians in the Middle East; a message of friendship and esteem to all inhabitants of Egypt and the region."