We can’t ignore the visit of Pope Francis without pausing and thinking about the implications of this visit, and what this visit could do for Egypt in general, and more specifically for the Christians around the world.
We can’t deny that this visit will open many doors that were closed before.
One of these doors, is “hope.” I consider hope the most important door for Egyptians and for everyone around the world. When I say hope, I mean the hope for living in peace, not clashing between civilizations as Samuel Huntington was trying to portray in his book by the same name, “Clash of Civilizations.”
For Egypt, this visit will another open door is a message to the world that Egypt is a safe place even though there have been terrorist attacks happening lately. I think this is the most important message for Egypt and to come out of Egypt, because that could help tourism return back again, which means helping the economic situation that Egypt suffers from now.
The last door that could open, which I consider very important to all Christians, is the agreement that Pope Tawadros could sign with Pope Francis that states that any Orthodox or Catholic person doesn’t need to re-baptized if switching denominations, if they have already been baptized at one of the churches.
I believe this agreement will be the most important thing that could happen in this century. This agreement could also prepare the way for many agreements that could occur in the future until all Churches become united again, which is what we pray for in our creed.
In conclusion, I want to say that Pope Francis’ visit to Egypt is very important and the Egyptians have to seize this opportunity in any and all ways possible.
