Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese has turned down an invitation by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to visit Ramallah.

Tawadros received a telephone call from Abbas at his residence in Al Quds, where he is attending the funeral Mass of Archbishop Abraham of Jerusalem and the Near East, a statement by the Orthodox Church said on Saturday.

He condoled with the pope for the death of Archbishop Abraham, the statement added.

Tawadros told Abbas he won't go to the Palestinian lands or Al Quds, as a visitor, except in the company of the grand imam of Al Azhar, according to the Church statement.

Abbas apologized for not attending the funeral service of Archbishop Abraham because he was in France to attend the climate summit.

Sources: MENA