Pope Francis together with Pope Tawadros II announced the addition of 21 Coptic Orthodox martyrs to be inserted into the Roman Martyrology of the Catholic Church as a sign of the spiritual communion of the two Christian Churches.

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis expressed that desire for greater Christian unity on Thursday, May 11 during an audience in the Vatican with Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II.

In his address, Pope Francis said 21 Coptic Orthodox martyrs would be inserted into the Roman Martyrology “as a sign of the spiritual communion that unites our two Churches.”

The 21 Coptic Christians—of whom 20 were Egyptian and 1 hailed from Ghana—were beheaded in Libya in 2015 by militants of the so-called Islamic State. A video published by the terrorist organization showed the men praying as they died.

More on Vatican News: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-05/pope-francis-tawadros-ii-coptic-orthodox-martyrs-egypt.html