John 15:13-15
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Pope Leo’s letter
Your Holiness, dear brother in Christ,
Christ is risen! Al-Messih qam!
In the joyful light of Easter, it is my pleasure to greet you on this special day of friendship between Copts and Catholics, continuing the noble tradition started by my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis.
This Day of Friendship, which was Your Holiness’s idea, celebrates the relationship between the See of Peter and the See of Mark, and it is indeed a significant initiative.
For Christians, friendship is not a vague sentiment but lies at the heart of our lives and faith.
Our Lord calls us his friends himself (John 15:15) and teaches us that ‘no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:13).
It is therefore by drawing upon Christ’s friendship with us that we will be able to strengthen our own friendships, and those between our churches, as we continue to bear witness together to divine philanthropy for all humanity!
This pilgrimage of friendship has enabled our churches, which have been separated by centuries of misunderstanding, to engage in a highly fruitful theological dialogue. This dialogue was initiated over fifty years ago by St Paul VI and His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, may they rest in peace.
Initially bilateral, this dialogue has been taking place since 2003 within the framework of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Commission’s three landmark documents demonstrate an increasing theological understanding.
I hope that the Commission, whose coordinating committee is currently meeting in Rome, will resume its work with all churches of the Oriental Orthodox family as soon as possible, in order to respond to Christ’s prayer that “they all may be one” (John 17:21).
(John 17:21 – that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me)
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Your Holiness and the Coptic Orthodox Church for their truly fraternal hospitality towards the participants of the Sixth World Conference of the Faith and Order Commission, including a large Catholic delegation, which took place at the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi El Natrun in October 2025.
I am confident that the reflections on the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council will rekindle our desire to achieve visible unity within the Church. This unity is rooted in the baptism we profess in the Nicene Creed, and it is my sincere hope that we will attain it.
In a world plagued by conflict, particularly in the Middle East, it is more important than ever for Christians to strive for unity, bearing witness together to the Prince of Peace.
By doing so, we can take comfort in the powerful intercession and example of the countless martyrs who suffered for the name of Christ.
Your Holiness,
As our churches prepare for Pentecost, I pray that the Holy Spirit, the source and bearer of all gifts, will guide Copts and Catholics alike on our shared pilgrimage towards full communion, leading us in truth and charity.
I look forward to the joy of meeting Your Holiness in person and assure you of my prayers as I offer you a fraternal embrace of peace in Christ, our risen Lord.
From the Vatican, 4 May 2026 LEO PP. XIV
