President Museveni welcomed Pope Theodore II, the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, to State House in Entebbe.
As the leader of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, one of the oldest Christian institutions, Pope Theodore II serves as the spiritual guide for the Greek Orthodox Church throughout Africa, with his headquarters in Alexandria, Egypt.
During their meeting, the discussions focused on promoting mutual respect among different religious and cultural groups, unity, and the significant impact of faith in advancing peace and development across Africa.
The Pope commended President Museveni for his dedication to ensuring freedom of worship in Uganda and expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality shown to the Orthodox Church, acknowledging the president’s efforts in championing religious freedom.
“Your excellency, we bring you the gratitude of the Orthodox Church for the warm reception we have received. We feel great joy that you are a father to His Eminence Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi, the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church in Uganda,” the Pope said.
Through his official X handle/page formerly Twitter, President Museveni wrote: “I was pleased to welcome His Beatitude Theodoros II, the Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, at Entebbe today. We covered a wide range of topics and agreed on the importance of mutual respect among different religious and cultural groups. This idea is illustrated in the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, where the least likely person ends up being the one who helps someone in need. I wish His Beatitude and his people a good stay in Uganda”.
The Pope was accompanied by Metropolitan Muzeeyi, the leader of the Orthodox Church in Uganda, along with several other senior clergy members from the Orthodox community.
Pope Theodore II praised Uganda for its commitment to promoting peace and unity in the region, especially in relation to the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He emphasized the role of the Orthodox Church in this nation, which actively supports children and orphanages.
