CAIRO, May 16 (KUNA) -- Vatican Pope Francis has accepted an invitation by the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, Pope Tawadros II, which was made during the latter's recent visit to Vatican City, Vatican Embassy Media Advisor in Cairo Father Rafiq Jaraish said Thursday.
Jaraish told Middle East News Agency (MENA) that during the recent meeting between Tawadros II and Pope Francis, the two agreed to complete dialogue committee discussion between the two churches, initially started in 1988.
On May 10th, Pope Francis welcomed Pope Tawadros II, in the first such meeting at the Vatican in 40 years, saying his visit "strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood" between the two churches, and the two prayed together for peace inside the Apostolic Palace.
The occasion was to mark the 40th anniversary of a declaration for improving ties signed in 1973 at the Vatican by Pope Paul VI and Tawadros' predecessor, Pope Shenouda III, who died last year.
Father Jaraish added that Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayib announced the resumption of dialogue with the Vatican Pope Francis. (end) jz.mb KUNA 162214 May 13NNNN