LOC23:52
20:52 GMT
VATICAN CITY, April 24 (KUNA) -- Vatican has downplayed concerns about security threats to His Holiness Pope Francis during his upcoming visit to Egypt, scheduled April 28-29.
A security threat to the Pope during his visit to Egypt is not more serious than that of his visit to any other European country, Director of the Holy See Press Office Greg Burke said in a press conference Monday.
Burke underlined the symbolic importance of the Pope's visit to Egypt and his confidence in the Egyptian security arrangements.
Upon his request, Pope Francis will move in a closed but not armored vehicle during the visit, he said, adding that His Holiness will partake in a peace conference to be organized by Al-Azhar.
He announced that preparations are in full swing for Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Egypt.
The Pope is scheduled to fly to Cairo on Friday 28 for a two-day pastoral journey, during which he will celebrate Mass and meet with clergy and representatives of Egyptian Christian community.
One of the highlights of the visit is his meeting with the Orthodox Coptic Patriarch, Tawadros II.
The Pope's visit comes in the wake of the Palm Sunday attacks on the Orthodox Coptic churches in Tanta and Alexandria earlier this month. (end)
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