Catholic Copts assert depth of relations between Egypt, the Vatican

Anba Istefanous II of the Catholic Copts in Egypt has asserted the depth of relations between Egypt and the Vatican, especially at present.

"Pope John Paul II of the Vatican considers President Hosni Mubarak a world-class man of peace and holds him in great esteem for his political stances in support of peace and understanding among world countries," Anba Istefanous told MENA on the occasion of choosing him as the first Egyptian to be appointed as a member of the Cardinals Council close to the Pontiff.

Pope John Paul II appreciates the warm welcome accorded him by President Mubarak during his visit to Egypt in February of last year, Cardinal Istefanous said.

The Catholic Church supports the Palestinian people's just cause, adding that while the orthodox Church rejects visits to the holy city as a form of normalization, the Catholic Church believes that visits to the city do not constitute a normalization of relations with Israel.