Cairo: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The delegation was headed by the Council's General Secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, and accompanied by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. The meeting also included the presence of Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the WCC delegation comprised several key figures, including Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Moderator of the Council; H.E. Archbishop Dr. Vicken Aykazian and Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, Vice Moderators of the Council; H.E. Metropolitan Thomas, Bishop of El-Qussiaa and Member of the WCC Central Committee; and His Grace Bishop Abraham, General Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Member of the Secretariat Committee of the Holy Synod and the WCC Central Committee.
Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, Spokesman for the Presidency, conveyed that President El-Sisi extended his congratulations to the delegation on the success of the 6th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which was hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church in Wadi El-Natroun. The President highlighted the significance of hosting the conference in Egypt, marking the first time it has taken place in Africa and Asia since 1927, underscoring Egypt's spiritual and historical importance.
President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and praised the Egyptian Church's national and spiritual role. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to being a land of peace and tolerance, emphasizing the state's dedication to safeguarding freedom of worship and promoting interfaith dialogue to foster understanding and coexistence.
The discussions also covered Egypt's efforts to bring an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, including the hosting of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit. President El-Sisi underscored the critical role of the World Council of Churches and other religious institutions in supporting the ceasefire and contributing to Gaza's reconstruction.
The WCC delegation expressed their gratitude for Egypt's pivotal role and President El-Sisi's personal efforts in seeking an end to the Gaza conflict. They acknowledged Egypt's leadership and voiced hope for justice and peace in various global crisis areas, including Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar. The delegation praised the President's crisis management as exemplary for world leaders.
The delegation also commended Egypt's humanitarian stance in hosting over five million Sudanese nationals, providing them with the same services as Egyptian citizens. President El-Sisi highlighted that Egypt hosts nearly ten million foreign nationals who have fled conflicts, emphasizing the non-discriminatory support extended by the Egyptian people.
The WCC members reiterated their appreciation for President El-Sisi's efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and noted the unprecedented freedom of belief and worship in Egypt. They recognized the President's annual visits to the Coptic Church during Christmas as a gesture of love and respect.
In conclusion, President El-Sisi expressed his happiness in participating in celebrations with his Coptic compatriots and emphasized the crucial role of religious institutions in advocating for peace and rejecting violence and hatred.