Visit to the Vatican by Orthodox Eritrean pilgrims

On Sunday, 12 October, a delegation of around 250 pilgrims from the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church visited the Vatican to pray at the Tomb of Saint Peter, and to visit the Church of Saint Stephen of the Abyssinians and the Pontifical Ethiopian College.

Led by Archbishop Abune Paolos, Exarch for Europe, the group comprised representatives from all the Eritrean Orthodox parishes in Europe, who were concluding their diocesan assembly, held this year in Rome.

Accompanied by Rev. Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle, OP, Official of the DPUC responsible for the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and Rev. Fr Hailemikael Beraki Hasho, OFMCap, Rector of the Pontifical Ethiopian College, the pilgrims reflected on the ancient ties uniting Rome and Abyssinia.

The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a member of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches.