1st group of Italian pilgrims end their journey in Egypt

CAIRO - 27 June 2018: Egypt received the first group of pilgrims from Italy from June 17-21, accompanied by Monsignor Fumagalli, the Roman Catholic diocese of Viterbo and Anba Barnaba, the bishop of Torino and Rome, to visit the path of the holy family's journey in Egypt, according to Egyptian Ambassador to Rome, Hisham Badr.

“This is the first Italian group of pilgrims to visit Egypt,” Badr said.

He further affirmed that the tour takes place under the auspices of the Egyptian Embassy in Rome, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism. The delegation visited three monasteries in Wadi El Natrun and some of the oldest Coptic Churches such as the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church and Vigin Mary Church in Maadi; the trip also included visiting the Giza pyramids and the Egyptian Museum.

Badr pointed out that head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church Pope, Tawadros II, expressed his happiness with the efforts of the political leadership and the Ministry of Tourism to adopt the Holy Family’s journey program, which has enhanced Italian tourism to the country.

Italian news agency, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) and Italian newspaper, Il Messaggero both covered this visit which reflected Egypt’s cultural diversity and civilization.

Badr announced that the embassy has launched a series of cooperation initiatives with the ministries of tourism, culture and antiquities so as to promote the trail of the Holy family program in Italy.

Earlier in June, Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem inaugurated the permanent Egyptian exhibition in the Pope’s palace in Viterbo, the first residence for the Catholic Church’s popes 200 years before being moved to the Vatican headquarter. This exhibition was set to include ancient Egyptian and Coptic artifacts.