Coptic Catholics in Egypt gathered Tuesday at the Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Catholic Cathedral in Cairo to mourn Pope Francis, honoring his legacy and commitment to global peace.
During the prayer service, worshippers reflected on the values and leadership of the late pontiff, who died Monday at the age of 88. He had made his final public appearance just a day earlier on Easter Sunday, blessing thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square to enthusiastic cheers.
“Certainly, we believe that the Pope’s departure may be in body, but on the other hand, we believe that those who carry ideas and that ideas never die,” said Anba Basilius, Metropolitan of Minya.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in history, was widely admired for his humility and advocacy for the poor. His critiques of capitalism and urgent calls to address climate change, however, drew criticism from some conservatives within the church.
The Coptic Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Vatican, counts seven dioceses in Egypt. Though a minority, Coptic Catholics form part of the broader Coptic Christian community, estimated at around 15 million people, according to Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Condolences poured in from across religious lines. Al-Azhar, one of Sunni Islam’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, also expressed sympathy to the Vatican following the pope’s death.
Other regional churches and denominations have declared periods of mourning to honor the late pontiff’s influence on interfaith dialogue and his efforts to promote global unity.