Bled: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, met on Monday, September 1st, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Vatican, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, on the sidelines of the Bled Forum in Slovenia. During the meeting, Minister Abdelatty extended congratulations on the assumption of office by Pope Leo XIV, expressing Egypt's appreciation for the close and longstanding relations between Egypt and the Vatican since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Minister Abdelatty highlighted the convergence between Egypt and the Holy See on major international issues, foremost among them combating terrorism, religious extremism, organized crime, human trafficking, crimes against humanity, as well as addressing environmental challenges. He discussed the migration and refugee crisis and expressed his hope that Pope Leo XIV would continue his efforts to halt the Israeli war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Minister Abdelatty commended Pope Leo XIV's stance in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the protection of civilians, and urging the concerned parties to engage in negotiations to achieve peace, security, and peaceful coexistence.

Minister Abdelatty further praised the ongoing cooperation between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Vatican, and the joint role they play in promoting interfaith dialogue, fostering a culture of peace, rejecting violence, and embracing tolerance and acceptance of the other.