Egypt’s Pope Tawadros II makes first official trip to U.S.

Egypt’s Pope Tawadros II headed to the United States Wednesday for a three week visit to the two oldest dioceses in Los Angeles and the southern U.S., Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

Tawadros II told Al-Ahram Arabic news website that he has been planning for this trip for a long time, but was required to postpone it due to his busy schedule.

“I have been trying to manage my domestic and foreign trips. We have Coptic Orthodox churches in more than 60 countries around the world and we must visit all to maintain their connection with the main church,” says Tawadros II.

The pope is expected to meet with the Coptic community and youth along with a number of unnamed officials.

The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church returned last week from a four-day official visit in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

Tawadros II was selected as the new pope on 12 November 2012 following the death of Pope Shenouda III.

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