King of Bahrain of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited on Wednesday, April 27, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark at the Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo. He was welcomed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and senior officials of the Church.

During the meeting, Pope Tawadros praised the strong ties between Bahrain and Egypt as well as the religious tolerance characterizing Bahrain. He also stressed the role of the Egyptian Church in fostering regional peace. Talks also touched on the strong relations between Bahrain and Egypt and ways to bolster them at all levels.

King Hamad expressed happiness for meeting Pope Tawadros, the church's clergymen and the Egyptian people. He praised the Egyptian national unity fostered by Al-Azhar Al Shareef and the Coptic Church, the two glorious institutions which enjoy respect inside and outside Egypt.

The King referred to the role of the church throughout history in preserving the unity of the Egyptian people, and commended its efforts in promoting the culture of peace, coexistence and tolerance.

"Bahrain, which has known diversity, pluralism and co-existence over the years, always emphasizes the need to boost the progress of citizenship and to guarantee religious freedom," King Hamad said, stressing religious tolerance in Bahrain.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II presented the King with a commemorative gift.