Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese said he is happy to visit Australia, in which he arrived earlier Wednesday.

The Coptic Church has 33 bishops outside Egypt, the pope said in statements upon arrival.

In 1971, when the late Pope Shenouda ascended to the throne of the Coptic Church, there were only three bishops abroad, two in Sudan and one in Jerusalem, he said.

"With the Coptic Church spreading to many countries, we found it imperative to have our priests learn foreign languages. When our church first opened in Japan, the prayers were performed in the Coptic, Arabic and Japanese languages."

"We have also asked the Egyptians who speak Japanese to translate the psalms into Japanese," he said.

Coptic schools were first operated in Egypt with the aim to contribute to an education boom in the Arab country, the pope said, adding that overseas branches are sure of a very big importance.

Asked about Egypt's national council to counter terrorism, Tawadros said it convened its first meeting under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Recently established, the council is half officials and ministers, and half religious, cultural and political figures, the pope explained.

Australia is Tawadros' second stop as part of a tour that also took him to Japan.

He will stay here until September 13.

Source : Mena