The Generalate and Provincial Residence at rue du Regard in Paris hosted the Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, 24-26 September 2013. His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, who was elected on 15 January 2013, and confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI three days later, was in Paris to attend several meetings as part of a European tour.

He elected to stay with the Sulpicians in the heart of Paris, where his predecessor, His Eminence Cardinal Antonios I Naguib, stayed on several occasions. His Beatitude Ibrahim succeeded Cardinal Naguib after the latter suffered a stroke, which led to poor health and eventually forced his resignation.

During the visit, His Beatitude Ibrahim was also filmed for an interview by KTO the Catholic Television Network in France. He was accompanied by his secretary, Rev. Doctor Hani Bakhoum Kiroulos. Both speak excellent French and provided wonderful table companionship.

The new Patriarch holds a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and is a former rector of St. Leo’s Patriarchal Seminary in Maadi (near Cairo, Egypt), where he also studied for the priesthood prior to his ordination in 1980.

Photo (l to r): Fr. Philippe Molac, pss, Local Superior, Patriarch Ibrahim, Father Ronald Witherup, pss, Superior General, and Fr. Bernard Pitaud, pss, Former French Provincial

We Sulpicians express sincere gratitude for the honor of this visit. We promise our prayers for His Beatitude Ibrahim’s important worldwide ministry. We also pray for peace in Egypt and for harmony between all Christians and Muslims there and around the world.