# Pope Tawadros II pastoral tour in Upper Egypt

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pope-tawadros-ii-pastoral-tour-in-upper-egypt
> Updated: 2026-09-19T22:37:56.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, is conducting a pastoral tour through Upper Egypt to inaugurate religious sites and landmarks.

In Minya, the Pope inaugurated the first phase of the Kom Maria project and the Abou Hans Monastery in Mallawi. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the Holy Family Trail, a route of religious and historical significance intended to promote cultural tourism. During this visit, the Pope also inaugurated the restored 4th-century church of Saint Ava Veneni at the Abouna Monastery and a new cathedral at the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor at Mount Qalamun.

Extending the tour to Beni Suef, the Pope laid the foundation stone for the Patriarchs' Cathedral in New Fashn. He concluded the tour in the Beni Suef Governorate with a visit to the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Martyr Abu Sefein and the Forty-Nine Martyrs in Beba. The visit, which included celebrating the silver jubilee of the ordination of Bishop Stephanous, was met by large crowds, including significant participation from local Muslim residents.

A national meeting was held in Beni Suef attended by Governor Abdullah Abdel Aziz, security officials, academic leaders, and various religious figures from both Islamic and Christian backgrounds, highlighting the communal reception of the visit.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: Pope Tawadros II visits Beni Suef during Upper Egypt tour

Pope Tawadros II concluded his pastoral tour in Upper Egypt with a visit to Beni Suef, celebrating Bishop Stephanous’s silver jubilee and meeting with local community leaders.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-tawadros-ii-visits-beni-suef-during-upper-egypt-tour

### 2026-09-17: Pope Tawadros II conducts pastoral tour in Upper Egypt

Pope Tawadros II is conducting a pastoral tour in Upper Egypt, laying foundation stones for new cathedrals and inaugurating restored ancient churches and monasteries in Beni Suef and Minya.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-tawadros-ii-conducts-pastoral-tour-in-upper-egypt

### 2026-09-15: Pope Tawadros II inaugurates Kom Maria project in Minya

Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the first phase of the Kom Maria project in Minya, Egypt, part of an initiative to develop the Holy Family Trail for religious and cultural tourism.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-tawadros-ii-inaugurates-kom-maria-project-in-minya

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Cite as: Pope Tawadros II pastoral tour in Upper Egypt. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pope-tawadros-ii-pastoral-tour-in-upper-egypt