This is the message sent by Pope Benedict XVI to His Holiness Tawadros II, on the occasion of his enthronement as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark.
Pope of Alexandria
Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark
“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord
Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:3)
It is with fraternal joy that I send greetings to Your Holiness on
the happy occasion of your enthronement as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of
the See of Saint Mark. To my Venerable Brother Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of
the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, I have entrusted the task
of conveying these greetings to you, together with assurances of my closeness
in prayer as you assume the high office of chief shepherd of the Coptic Orthodox
Church. May the Almighty grant Your Holiness abundant spiritual gifts to
strengthen you in your new ministry, as you guide the clergy and laity along
the paths of holiness, for the good of your people and the peace and harmony of
the whole of society.
My thoughts turn at this time to your venerable predecessor, His
Holiness Pope Shenouda III, whose long and devoted service to the Lord will
surely continue to inspire you and all the faithful. His concern for improving
relations with other Christian Churches reinforces our hope that one day all
the followers of Christ will find themselves united in that love and
reconciliation which the Lord so earnestly desires (cf. Jn 17:21).
Your Holiness, I pray that the Holy Spirit will sustain you in
your ministry, so that the flock entrusted to your care may experience the
teaching of the Good Shepherd. May they be blessed with the serenity to offer
their valuable contribution to the good of society and the well-being of all
their fellow-citizens.
I pray too that relations between the Catholic Church and the
Coptic Orthodox Church will continue to grow closer, not only in a fraternal
spirit of collaboration, but also through a deepening of the theological
dialogue that will enable us to grow in communion and to bear witness before
the world to the saving truth of the Gospel.
Conscious of the great challenges which accompany the spiritual
and pastoral ministry that Your Holiness is about to undertake, I assure you of
my prayers and personal good wishes. With fraternal esteem and affection I
implore God’s blessings upon you and upon all the faithful entrusted to your
care.
From the Vatican, 14 November 2012