A solemn and spiritually rich Divine Liturgy in the Coptic Rite was celebrated on May 12 in the Pauline Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, honoring the Jubilee of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Presiding over the sacred celebration was His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts and President of the Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops of Egypt. The service was held beside the resting place of the late Pope Francis, whose memory was invoked with reverence and gratitude.

This deeply moving Coptic Liturgy bore the hallmark elements of repentance, intercessory prayer, and the rich ascetic tradition that has long shaped Coptic spirituality. It marked a significant chapter in the ongoing Jubilee celebrations that will culminate in a papal audience with Pope Leo XIV on May 14.

Joining the Patriarch in the chapel were several key figures from the Vatican, including Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; his secretary, Fr. Emanuel Sabadakh; and Archbishop Filippo Ciampanelli, Undersecretary of the same office.

Cardinal Gugerotti addressed the enduring faith of the Coptic people—descendants of the early Christians of Egypt who held fast to Christ even after the Arab conquest. Their story is one of immense courage, marked by martyrdom, endurance, and unwavering witness. The Cardinal acknowledged the painful legacy of persecution and recent tragedies, where some martyrs were only recognized because of happenstance, while countless others died in anonymity.

He described the Coptic Church as having a “history written in passion”—rooted in antiquity, shaped by global monastic influence, enriched by its distinct liturgical identity, and forged through suffering. “And yet,” he emphasized, “you are still here.”

In heartfelt remarks, the Cardinal spoke on behalf of the universal Church, thanking the Coptic faithful for their testimony, which he called a “wisdom born of martyrdom.” Their survival through centuries of hardship, he noted, speaks to a profound spiritual inheritance—perhaps nurtured by the blessing of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, the witness of early theologians, and a mystical bond with their homeland.

“You are not guests here,” Cardinal Gugerotti said, “you are at home. When you passed through the Holy Door and raised your prayers, they resonated in the very heart of Christendom.”

Urging the faithful to continue their intense prayer life, the Cardinal acknowledged the turbulent times the Church and world are facing. He called upon the Coptic Catholics to hold fast to their unique charism within the universal Church. “God does not count the crowd,” he said, “but the depth of their faith.” This Jubilee, he added, should ignite a new wave of sanctity, purifying the Church just as martyrdom did.

Patriarch Sedrak paid tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as a shepherd who healed wounds from the margins and guided the Church with pastoral wisdom. He expressed gratitude for his legacy, particularly in reviving the Gospel's spirit across fractured hearts.

He also lifted up prayers for Pope Leo XIV, asking the Holy Spirit to lead him as He once led Saint Peter, especially during these crucial days of the Jubilee.

The Patriarch echoed Pope Francis’s environmental appeals, lamenting a planet besieged by profit-driven exploitation. Drawing on the words of the UN Secretary-General, he warned of a “boiling world” and called for authentic hope that liberates rather than numbs—a hope that inspires global transformation and resists the destructive forces of greed.

He extended that same hope to the global quest for peace, stating that although fear and disillusionment are widespread, “God is not absent in our pain.” Rather, He calls on believers to resist injustice and build a more equitable and sustainable society—“an economy of life, not of death.”

As the Church prepares to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, His Beatitude reminded the faithful of the timeless truth defended by Saint Athanasius—the divinity of Christ—and encouraged them to stand with wisdom and bravery in today’s age.

He concluded with a fervent prayer that the Catholic Church, under the guidance of the new Pope, will remain true to its apostolic mission—united, holy, and faithful.

The Coptic Liturgy at St. Mary Major was not merely a ceremonial event—it was a powerful symbol of resilience, unity, and spiritual depth. In a world grappling with uncertainty and fragmentation, the Eastern Churches stood as a witness to a faith forged in fire and sustained by grace.