Pope Francis, during a recent General Audience to mark 50 years of relations with the Coptic Orthodox Church, welcomed Pope Tawadros II to share the stage with him.

“It is with great joy that I welcomed today His Holiness Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, beloved brother and dear friend, with whom I celebrated the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope St. Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III,” the pope said in a Twitter post after Wednesday’s meeting. 

Pope Tawadros affirmed the strengthening ties between the two Churches.

“Despite the differences in our roots and affiliations,” Pope Tawadros said, according to Vatican News, “we are united by the love of Christ who dwells within us, and the host of our Apostolic Fathers and saints which surrounds and guides us.”

In reply, Pope Francis thanked him for his visit.

"Dear friend and brother Tawadros, thank you for accepting my invitation on this dual anniversary, and I pray that the light of the Holy Spirit may illuminate your visit to Rome, the important meetings you will have here, and in particular our personal conversations,” Pope Francis said during the ceremony, as the Vatican News reported. "I thank you from my heart for your commitment to the growing friendship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.” 

Ten years had gone by since Pope Tawadros II had come to St. Peter's Square. His last visit, though, was also important. At that time, he proposed that May 10 should be designated as the "Day of Coptic-Catholic Friendship.” Pope Francis agreed, and he and Pope Tawadros II have since connected via phone every year on that date. That commitment to stay in touch serves as a testament to the bond between their two Churches, Vatican News said. 

Last week’s event was the first time another pope had spoken during the General Audience, and the occasion also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the historic Joint Christological Declaration signed by St. Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, Vatican News reported. 

The May 1973 meeting was historic, as it marked the first time in more than a millennium that the leaders of the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Churches had come together. During that meeting, St. Paul VI and Pope Shenouda ended a long-standing Christological disagreement and forged an agreement between the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Churches, the report said.