Cairo
“There is no justification for violence,” he said to applause at Al Azhar conference center in Cairo, adding that it’s the responsibility of clerics and other religious leaders to expose those responsible for extremist attacks.
“Together, from this land that is the place where civilizations converged, we must reaffirm our categorical rejection of all forms of violence, retaliation and hatred that are perpetrated in the name of God,” he said to more applause, calling for brotherhood and reconciliation.
After he finished speaking, the pope turned and embraced Sheikh Ahmed Tayeb, the grand imam of Al Azhar mosque, the paramount seat of learning for Sunni Islam, in a moment that many in the audience later said moved them as much as the peaceful, anti-terrorism message presented by both religious leaders.
“Maybe we’re a bit emotional in Egypt,” said Mona Abdelhaseeb, 33, a researcher at Al Azhar, as she left. “But for someone who doesn’t speak Italian or Arabic, it’s all they need to understand.”
Francis arrived in Cairo earlier Friday for his two-day visit to the Muslim-majority nation and emerged beaming from his plane to greet and bless a receiving line of supporters, including leaders of various faiths.
Prime Minister Sherif Ismail was the first to welcome the pope as he strode down a red carpet to the tarmac. There, a boy and girl approached with flowers, and the pontiff paused to bless them. He greeted others with kisses on the cheek.
Among those greeting the pope at the airport was Chaldean Christian Bishop Basilio Rialto, of Baghdad. Rialto, who served for seven years as assistant pastor of a church in Michigan and has relatives in El Cajon, Calif., had said earlier that he knew Chaldeans all over the world were watching to see how the pope’s trip goes.
“We need the peace, especially in our country. The pope’s visit is going to give a lot of support, especially to Christians in the Middle East,” said Rialto, who has worn a silver cross like the one worn by the pope since he was ordained two years ago as bishop.
The pope traveled from the airport to the presidential palace to meet with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who had declared a state of emergency after suicide bombings at Coptic Christian churches in separate Egyptian cities on Palm Sunday and vowed to fight Muslim extremism. El-Sissi lauded Francis, expressing appreciation for “his noble humanitarian positions which unleash the power of hope in the hearts of people.”
The pope was also greeted by a trio of religious leaders, a rare convergence: Tayeb, the grand imam; Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II and Ecumencal Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
It is the first papal visit to Egypt since John Paul II’s trip in 2000, and comes at a particularly tense time after attacks on the country’s Christian minority, including the Palm Sunday attacks that killed 47 people.
Islamic State extremists this year declared a campaign against Egypt’s Christians, who account for about 10 percent of the country’s population of 92 million, making the group the nation’s largest religious minority. About 270,000 of the country’s Christians are Catholic.
Outside Al Azhar, soldiers patrolled in armored vehicles. Guests were screened by guards, dogs and two metal detectors.
Al Azhar has a powerful influence on Sunni theology through its teachings, books and religious edicts.
Its leaders took offense and severed ties with the Vatican in 2011 when Pope Benedict XVI demanded Egypt better protect Christians following a church bombing that killed more than 20 people.