Egypt’s Ambassador to the Vatican Hatem Seif el Nasr described the visit of Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb to the Vatican during which he met with Pope Francis as a historic and key event.

In a press statement Tuesday, Seif el Nasr added that Tayyeb's visit was the first of its kind by Al Azhar's Grand Imam to the Vatican in order to meet the Catholic Church Pope.

The visit comes at a critical time, he noted, that requires a practical confirmation from all world religious leaders of the importance of solidarity, unity, peace and brotherhood in the face extremism, terrorism and conflicts that prevailed worldwide.

Tayyeb's visit, that came at the invitation of Pope Francis, marks the establishment of Egyptian-Vatican diplomatic relations on May 23, 1947 and it has achieved its own goals, the Egyptian diplomat indicated.

The visit comes as an additional step towards growing ties between the two countries that saw their heyday during the visit of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the Holy See on November 24, 2014 and his meeting with Pope Francis, Seif el Nasr pointed out.

Sisi's visit, he added, has paved the way to push the bilateral ties forward in all domains. 

Source ; MENA