Copts of Egypt: Pope Francis, Al-Azhar, and the reality of sectarianism on the ground
(World News Egypt)

The Pope´s meeting with Al-Azhar this week may create goodwill at a high-level, but on the ground, the situation for Copts is different. A Coptic Christian at Easter mass in Cairo, 2017. PA Images. All rights reserved. Pope Francis´ scheduled visit to Egypt this week comes at a critical time: the country has witnessed a number of terrorist attacks and the authorities have announced a three-month state of emergency. During his visit, the Pope is expected to meet with Sheikh El Tayeb, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar - a university and mosque in Cairo and one of Sunni Islam´s most powerful and influential centres for learning and issuance of religious opinions. According to Catholic news sources ,...