Pope Tawadros starts papal visit to Japan, Australia

CAIRO - 25 August 2017: Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Marks Diocese on Friday headed for UAE en route to Japan within his two-week tour that will also take him to Australia.

In statements to MENA, Father Sergius Sergius, the Patriarchal Deputy, said that the Pope is planned to meet Copts living in these countries, as well as inaugurating two Churches and laying the foundation stone for a new diocese in Australia.

The pope is also expected to meet a number of officials during the tour.

Pope Tawadros II is the 118th and current Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, succeeding the late Pope Shenouda III as leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. He took office on November 18, 2012.