Coptic Orthodox Church reports Pope Tawadros II visits Diocese of Beba, El-Fashn, and Sumusta
The visit marks the final stop of the Pope's pastoral tour of Upper Egypt, the church said.
The Coptic Orthodox Church said on 19 September 2026 that Pope Tawadros II visited the Church of St. Mercurius Abu Sefein and the Forty-Nine Martyrs, Elders of Scetis, in Fabriqa, Beba. This visit was part of a tour of the Diocese of Beba, El-Fashn, and Sumusta, which served as the fourth and final stop of the Pope's current pastoral tour of Upper Egypt.
Pope Tawadros II said: "I am very happy to visit this beautiful Diocese and to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the ordination of His Grace Anba Estefanos."
During the journey from the Church of Karmat El-Shohada in El-Fashn to the church in Fabriqa, residents of villages between El-Fashn and Beba lined the road. The church said large numbers of Muslim residents came out to welcome the Pope, describing him as a prominent national figure and the guest of their hometown.
Upon arrival at the church, the Pope was received by priests, and a deacons' choir chanted traditional welcome hymns. Metropolitan Youannes, the Metropolitan of Assiut and Secretary of the Holy Synod, delivered an address and recalled the words of St. Paul the Apostle from 2 Corinthians 3:2 to affirm that the Pope loves the children of the church as a father, according to the church. Bishop Estefanos, Bishop of the Diocese of Beba and El-Fashn, cited Philippians 1:26 and noted that people rejoice in Christ Jesus through the presence of Pope Tawadros II.