Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, will arrive in Cairo on Friday and will start his visit to Egypt by meeting with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi at Ittihadyia Palace, a source in the Armed Forces Media Affairs Office told Daily News Egypt.
“About 21,000 worshipers will perform prayers at Air Defense Stadium, while about 2,000 to 2,500 perform prayers on the field. The armed forces will secure the worshipers on their way to and from the stadium,” the source added.
The prayer is expected to take place from 9:30am to 11:30am, while preparations will start at 7 am, according to the source. The Pope will be accompanied by a choir of 120 performers.
Two films will be broadcast, one about the Pope and the other one about Vatican City. Two presenters will host the ceremony, while speeches will be held by bishops before the Pope makes his appearance, the source said.
The source added that the Pope is expected to enter the stadium at 9:25am in a golf cart and will take about 10 minutes to change his clothes before taking the stage to perform the prayer.
25,000 flags, of Egypt and the Vatican, will be handed out.
The Armed Forces Media Affairs Office will broadcast a three-minute film about the 54 churches that were destroyed by terrorists in Egypt, while the army restored them, the source told Daily News Egypt.
“All Egypt is celebrating the Pope’s visit and the Pope insisted to visit Egypt because he believes that Egypt is safe and had hosted the Holy Family,” the source said.
