Pope Francis greets Sisi on July 23rd Revolution anniversary

Pope Francis sent Thursday a cable to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi greeting him on the occasion of the July 23rd Revolution anniversary, Egypt's ambassador to Vatican told MENA.

Wafaa Basim said she was honored to meet Pope Francis in a meeting held due to the end of her tenure in Vatican.

She said Pope Francis asked her to convey his greetings to Sisi and to convey his prayers for good of Egypt and its people.

The pope said he was aware of the political challenges faced by Egypt topped by the Arab country's desire to complete the last phase of its future roadmap, set on July 3, 2013, and keeping Egypt on the right track toward democracy, social justice, and pluralism, she said.

Pope Francis praised the huge project of the New Suez Canal, planned to be inaugurated on August 6, and its benefits in creating more job opportunities for the youth after opening more factories, free zones, and paving the way for trade and investments, she added.

The Pope condemned terrorism, noting extremism always wears the mask of religion to justify its malicious plots targeting the country's structure and planting the seeds of separation.

He underscored the importance of the Egyptian leading role in the peace process in the region.