POPE ARRIVES IN EGYPT AT START OF FIRST JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul began his 90th foreign apostolic trip this morning at 9:40 when he left Rome's Fiumicino Airport for the Arab Republic of Egypt. After a flight of over three hours and 2,206 kilometers, he arrived in the capital of Egypt, Cairo, to start his first Jubilee Year pilgrimage.

The Holy Father was welcomed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, His Holiness Pope Shenouda, His Beatitude Patriarch Stephanos II Ghattas, and Grand Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi. He thanked President Mubarak "for making it possible for me to come here and to go where God revealed His name to Moses and gave His Law as a sign of His great mercy and kindness towards His creatures."

Addressing the assembled guests in English, the Pope remarked that "this is the land of a five thousand year-old civilization known throughout the world for its monuments and its knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. This is the land where different cultures met and mingled, making Egypt famous for its wisdom and learning."

He spoke of those nurtured in Alexandria in Christian times: "ecclesiastical writers like Clement and Origen, and great Fathers of the Church such as Athanasius and Cyril," and Catherine of Alexandria. He underscored that Egypt "was the birthplace of monasticism."

"The advent of Islam," continued John Paul II, "brought splendors of art and learning which have had a determining influence on the Arab world and Africa. The people of Egypt have for centuries pursued the ideal of national unity. Differences of religion were never barriers, but a form of mutual enrichment in the service of one national community."

"The unity and harmony of the nation are a precious value which all citizens should cherish, and which political and religious leaders must continually promote in justice and respect for the rights of all," said the Pope in concluding remarks. Lauding Egypt's president for his "commitment to peace at home and throughout the Middle East, he said that "all reasonable men and women appreciate the efforts made so far, and hope that goodwill and justice will prevail, so that all peoples of this unique area of the world will see their rights respected and their legitimate aspirations fulfilled."

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