Pope quotes Arab Spring protest slogan in Cairo speech

Pope Francis subtly made asides to the Egyptian regime's excesses as a cause for the country's security woes.

2 min read

28 April, 2017

Pope Francis called Grand Imam Tayeb 'brother' [AFP]

Pope Francis quoted Tahrir Square protesters in a televised speech at al-Azhar university in Cairo when he called for "bread, freedom and social justice" on Friday.

The leader of the Catholic Christian church appeared to criticise the Egyptian regime when he said that a "sheer desire for power, the arms trade and grave social problems" was one of the root causes of Egypt's security woes.

"[These] are also the reasons that led the people to call for an Egypt where no one lacks bread, freedom and social justice."

Pope Francis condemned any and all violent actions, especially those committed in the name of God, during a speech at al-Azhar mosque in Cairo on Friday.

[These] are also the reasons that led the people to call for an Egypt where no one lacks bread, freedom and social justice.

The leader of the Catholic Christian church said Egypt had a "unique role" to play in the Middle East and spoke out about the persecution of Egypt's Coptic Christians.

"Let us say once more a firm and clear 'No!' to every form of violence, vengeance and hatred carried out in the name of religion or in the name of God."

The pontiff then extended his thoughts to the victims of the recent church bombings and the "murders and threats that have led to an exodus of Christians from northern Sinai".

"To the members of their families, and to all of Egypt, I offer my heartfelt condolences and my prayers that the Lord will grant speedy healing to the injured."

The Pope was not the only spiritual leader at the conference to voice criticisms against the regime.

Grand Imam Tayeb also spoke at the conference, giving a speech on the importance of faith.

"With all these accomplishments [of the 21st century], how come peace has become a lost paradise? The answer, I assume, is that modern civilization has ignored religion," he said.

The Grand Imam previously called for a full independent investigation when the Egyptian army killed a group of anti-coup protesters on July 8, 2013.

He has also called for the immediate release of political prisoners and refused to leave his home in protest until they were released.

A month later, Tayeb briefly left his self imposed house-arrest to public denounce to the massacres at Rabaa and Nahda Squares and to distance al-Azhar's involvement in those events.

Pope Francis was on Friday the first pontiff to visit al-Azhar since Pope John Paul II in 2000.