Day of Friendship between Copts and Catholics

On the occasion of the Day of Friendship between Copts and Catholics, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, held a telephone conversation with His Holiness Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark.

As stated in the press release from the Holy See Press Office: ‘The conversation took place in a cordial and fraternal atmosphere, with the hope of giving new impetus to the celebration of the Day of Friendship between Copts and Catholics, seeking to overcome any possible obstacle to dialogue in faith and charity. Both parties expressed their awareness of their shared responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel and promoting peace and reconciliation, particularly in the much-tried Middle East.”

Pope Leo also sent Pope Tawadros II a letter in which he expresses his joy at the spiritual bonds that unite the See of St Peter and that of St Mark.

On 10 May 2026, Cardinal Kurt Koch, accompanied by Father Hyacinthe Destivelle, visited the Coptic Orthodox Church of St George in Rome, where he took part in the liturgy presided over by Metropolitan Barnaba El Soryani, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Italy. In the address delivered on that occasion, the Cardinal invited those present to deepen the friendship between Copts and Catholics in friendship with Jesus Christ himself.

The Day of Friendship between Copts and Catholics is celebrated every year on 10 May in remembrance of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III on 10 May 1973.