Pope Francis
"As many sat around a well-spread table, huge amounts of food daily go to waste and resources are spent on weapons," the pontiff said.
In a statement, the Muslim Council of Elders said the "extraordinary meeting" will bring together its members with leaders of the Catholic Church, reflecting the role that religious leaders can play "in facing the challenges of the age, by presenting serious steps and practical solutions.
"My sincere congratulations to my friends; Pope Francis, Pope Tawadros, Archbishop Justin Welby, Patriarch Bartholomew I as well as to all Christians around the world on the occasion of Christmas," El-Tayyeb said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Pope Francis of the Vatican voiced his deepest appreciation for Egypt's government and people.
"We are resuming trips, and this is very important because we can bring our words and greetings to people," Francis told reporters on board the flight en route to Budapest in a reference to COVID-19.
The visit is Pope Francis' first-ever trip to Iraq.
Pope Francis arrived in Baghdad on Friday, becoming the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to visit the Arab country
He explained that those 21 Christians who “bore witness to Jesus Christ” were “ordinary men” who went abroad to support their families.
Egypt’s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb said on Thursday that the interfaith Document on Human Fraternity signed in 2019 represents a message of peace to the mankind.
The day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Human Fraternity document in UAE capital, Abu Dhabi in 4 February 2019.
Pope Francis sent a message of cooperation to promote the culture of peace to Egyptian Endowments (Awqaf) Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa.
Both religious figures have jointly published posts in English and Arabic on their social media accounts, affirming their continuous efforts of combating wrong ideologies that disseminate violence in the name of the religion.
Pope Francis’ call marked the seventh anniversary of his meeting with Tawadros II in Rome on May 10, 2013.
In an article issued in Al Ahram newspaper on Friday, Abou el Enein commended Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders Ahmad el Tayeb and Pope Francis’ stances.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced he supports the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity’s call to pray for humanity on May 14.
In a phone call with the grand Imam, Pope Francis also wished the whole world more stability and security, praying to God to make the universe free from wars and diseases.
Pope Francis cautioned against “unfair” solutions aimed at ending the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, Al Arabiya reported on Saturday.
“In the whole world, men and women migrants face risky voyages to escape violence, to escape, war, to escape poverty,”.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated Pope Francis on Christmas and New Year celebrations, and wished him success in his message to spread religious tolerance peace worldwide, in a telephone call on Thursday, the Presidency said.
This came in a message handed over by Egypt's Foreign Minister, while wrapping up his visit to the Vatican City, to Pope Francis.
