His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, visited Delvin on Friday 19th May to bless and dedicate a new chapel established at St George Abbey, a Coptic Orthodox community in Billistown, Delvin. Fr William Coleman and Fr Paul Crosbie were also in attendance, representing Bishop Michael Smith.

It was the first time that Pope Tawadros, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, had visited Ireland as head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, whose membership remains predominantly in Egypt.

Prior to the Liturgy, His Holiness received Fr Coleman and Fr Crosbie in audience, during which the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and other matters were discussed.