Minister Terzi's condolences on the passing of His Holiness Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark

ROME, Italy, March 20, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi sent condolences today to his Egyptian colleague Kemal Amr for the passing of His Holiness Shenouda III, Patriarch of Alexandria and of the See of St. Mark. Recalling that on the occasion of his visit to Cairo it had not been possible to meet with the Patriarch as a result of his failing health, the minister referred to Shenouda III as the “spiritual leader of the Copt community and, at the same time, an esteemed point of reference for the shared universal values of brotherhood and mercy”.

“In the course of his long and eminent papacy, which spanned over forty years”, Terzi underscored, “Pope Shenouda III always strove to promote dialogue and fruitful coexistence among Egypt's religious communities”. “In addition to inspiring major inter-faith dialogue initiatives”, the minister concluded, “His Holiness Shenouda III was a great friend to Italy and undeniably contributed, through his teachings and witness to faith, to bringing our two countries and two peoples even closer”.