Source: Religion News Service
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Even as Pope Francis was on his way to the violence-plagued Central African Republic almost two years ago, security advisers warned him that it was an active war zone and they couldn’t guarantee his safety.
“If you can’t manage it, give me a parachute,” the pontiff told the pilot of his plane before they landed.
It was meant as a joke, but the threat was real, and so is Francis’ determination to push ahead no matter what the perils.
On Friday (April 28) the pope will once again embark on another risky trip: This time he’s going to Egypt, cradle of a venerable civilization, for centuries a leading force in the Islamic world — and today home to an ancient Christian population facing increasing persecution.
Categories: Christianity, Egypt, Middle East, Pope Francis, The Muslim Times