To His Holiness Pope-elect Tawadros II
It is with sincere fraternal joy that we learned of your recent election as spiritual leader of the Coptic Church, succeeding the beloved and respected Pope Shenouda III after his long and fruitful ministry.
We share with the devout faithful of the Coptic Church worldwide the profound consolation that accompanies the election and installation of a new spiritual shepherd as well as the prayerful recognition of the immense responsibility assumed by Your Holiness as you now lead the people entrusted to you by God in a time the world has been defined by turmoil and in a region that demands great discernment and sensitivity.
We know that your service hitherto as a bishop, monk and theologian will prove invaluable resources that, we fervently pray, divine grace will richly bless and multiply for the ongoing welfare of your Church, for the enrichment of relations between our Churches, and for the benefit of all God’s world.
In light of your forthcoming official enthronement on November 18, we solemnly stand with you in prayer and wholeheartedly congratulate you in advance on this deserved and historical occasion.
At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the 4th of November, 2012
Your Holiness’
beloved brother in Christ,
+ BARTHOLOMEW
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome
and Ecumenical Patriarch