Security tightened at Cairo International Airport ahead of Pope’s visit

CAIRO - 26 April 2017: Security tightened Wednesday at Cairo International Airport ahead of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit. The head of the Roman Catholic Church is scheduled to land in Cairo Friday.

The Interior Ministry has finished its security plan at all the historical places Pope Francis is expected to visit in Cairo, security sources said. The airport’s parking areas have been emptied and parking prohibited as police tightened inspection procedures at the entrance to Terminal 1.

The presidential lounge at the airport has been prepared to welcome Pope Francis and his delegation, security sources announced.

A delegation of 60 reporters and journalists and another 60 assistants of Pope Francis arrived Wednesday in preparation for the Pope’s visit.

An official reception will greet Pope Francis at Cairo Airport, and then he will go to the presidential palace to meet President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The Pope’s plan will include a meeting with the grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, at the International Peace Conference. He will then meet Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of Alexandria, and various civil authorities.