The 6th World Conference of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order has concluded in Egypt’s Wadi El-Natrun, focusing on the theme “Moving Toward Visible Unity.” One of the conference’s highlights was an interview with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, published on the WCC website. In the conversation, the Patriarch reflected on his Church’s mission, interreligious harmony in Egypt, and the preservation of spiritual heritage.

Recalling the tragic events of 2013, when dozens of churches were destroyed during unrest in Egypt, Patriarch Tawadros explained the meaning behind his well-known statement: “A homeland without churches is better than churches without a homeland.”

“If the homeland is destroyed, it cannot be restored. But if a church is destroyed, we can rebuild it. The homeland is the people — and the people will build the churches again,” he said.

The Patriarch noted that the Egyptian state later helped rebuild more than a hundred churches, allocating over 200 million Egyptian pounds, a gesture he described as a powerful symbol of national unity and reconciliation.

Speaking about the mission of the Coptic Church, Patriarch Tawadros emphasized the inseparable link between spiritual and social service:

“Just as a person stands on the earth but lifts his mind toward heaven, so the Church must care both for the soul and for the daily life of society.”

He also reflected on the ancient Coptic tradition, tracing its origins to St. Mark the Apostle, and stressed that this heritage remains vibrant today — with church music and the liturgical language preserved almost unchanged through the centuries.

Patriarch Tawadros highlighted the spiritual importance of Wadi El-Natrun, the 4th-century desert of monks once known as the “university of asceticism.” Today, about 800 monks live in its four monasteries, where, as he noted, “prayer never ceases, day or night.”

Turning to the theme of Christian unity, the Patriarch reaffirmed his Church’s commitment to dialogue and love among Christian communities:

“We strive for unity in faith. Love strengthens the relationships between Churches, and theological dialogue helps us reach a common understanding of the truth.”

He emphasized that the Coptic Orthodox Church actively participates in the work of the World Council of Churches, as well as the Middle East and Egyptian Councils of Churches, maintaining what he called “relationships of love and dialogue.”

Concluding the interview, Patriarch Tawadros offered a message of hope:

“Every morning when the sun rises, God gives us a sign that hope still exists. Love never fails.”