A Blessed Pastoral Visit to Sudan
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III made a historic pastoral visit to Sudan, filled with spiritual, cultural, and social significance. He met with members of the Coptic Orthodox Church and expressed his deep joy and gratitude for the warmth and love shown by the Sudanese people and their leaders.

The Apostolic Roots of the Coptic Orthodox Church
His Holiness explained that the Coptic Church was founded in the first century by St. Mark the Apostle, who was born in Africa. The Church later expanded to Sudan, Ethiopia, Jerusalem, and many other countries. He also spoke about the spread of the Church in the lands of immigration to care for her children spiritually across America, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Africa.

The Poet and Writer Pope
The Pope revealed his poetic talent since childhood, writing intuitively before studying Arabic prosody formally. He shared a spiritual poem about “Joseph the Righteous,” expressing purity, chastity, and the surrender of the heart to God alone.

Science and Faith: Harmony, Not Conflict
His Holiness affirmed that true science does not contradict faith, since both come from God. Science and intellect are divine gifts, yet limited before God’s infinite wisdom. He noted that some thinkers mistakenly worship science instead of God, but humanity cannot live without Him, for the soul naturally longs for its Creator.

The Church’s Mission in a Materialistic Age
The Pope emphasized that humans are both body and eternal spirit, and true happiness comes from caring for eternity rather than the temporary world. He urged the spiritual upbringing of youth, so they see God’s commandments as the path to true freedom and virtue.

Peace: Christ’s Call to the World
He taught that peace was the original state of creation and that enmity entered only after sin. Quoting the angels’ hymn at Christ’s birth—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace”—he called for peace between humanity and God, within the self, and among all people, praising the peace initiatives between Egypt and Sudan.

Church Teachings on Money and Wine
The Pope explained that sinful usury means exploiting the poor, while depositing money in banks is a lawful partnership in capital. Concerning wine, he clarified that the Church forbids drunkenness, using only a symbolic amount of fermented wine during prayers, teaching that sin lies not in the substance but in its misuse.

A Vision of Love and Gratitude for Sudan
His Holiness expressed deep affection for Sudan, admiring its scientific and economic progress—such as the Gezira Project, textile factories, and universities. He praised the kindness and generosity of the Sudanese people, affirming that the brotherhood between Egypt and Sudan is ancient and deeply rooted.

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