# Pope Tawadros II visits Ezbet Gaafar church, church says The visit to the Church of St. Paul and St. Anthony was part of a trip to the Diocese of Beba, El-Fashn, and Sumusta, the church said. By the Egypt Desk of Coptic News. - Published: 13 October 2026, 17:50 New York time (2026-10-13T21:50:43+00:00) The Coptic Orthodox Church said on 21 September 2026 that Pope Tawadros II arrived at the Church of St. Paul and St. Anthony in Ezbet Gaafar, west of El-Fashn, during a visit to the Diocese of Beba, El-Fashn, and Sumusta. The Pope's walk from the outer gate to the inner entrance of the church took approximately 45 minutes to cover a distance of no more than 300 meters because he wanted to greet and interact with people personally, the church said. Pope Tawadros II said: "I found great love among the people of Gaafar." During the visit, a documentary was screened that recounted 54 years of service in Ezbet Gaafar and the establishment of the church, the church said. Christine Samy, a daughter of the church, recited a poem to welcome the Pope, and Fr. Sam Ghali, the priest of the church, delivered words of love and welcome in the main church, the church said. Bishop Estefanos, the Bishop of the Diocese of Beba, El-Fashn, and Sumusta, said in an address that Pope Tawadros II continually loves to do good and does not allow anything to hinder good works. The Bishop also praised the village of Ezbet Gaafar and the solidarity and love between its Christian and Muslim residents, the church said. The “Spirit and Life” Choir, which is affiliated with the churches in the villages of El-Fashn, performed praises and Church hymns and received commendation from the Pope, the church said. ## Sources 1. [H.H. Pope Tawadros II Visits the Church of St. Paul and St. Anthony in Ezbet Gaafar, El-Fashn, Amid a Large Popular Welcome](), Coptic Orthodox Church. Published 2026-09-21. Accessed 2026-10-13. --- - Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - Canonical URL: https://coptic-news.com/2026/10/pope-tawadros-ii-visits-ezbet-gaafar-church-church-says/