#Egypt #Cairo – The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church announced on Friday that it decided to resume theological dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, following personal assurances from Pope Leo XIV to Coptic Pope Tawadros II regarding the non-blessing of same-sex couples.
The decision came during the Synod’s annual plenary session in Egypt, chaired by Pope Tawadros II and attended by 119 bishops. In its official statement, the Synod explicitly linked the resumption to a telephone conversation between the two church leaders on May 15, 2026, during which Pope Leo provided guarantees on the matter.
“The members of the Holy Synod decided to resume theological dialogue with the Catholic Church following the assurances regarding the non-blessing of same-sex couples, which were expressed during the telephone conversation between His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Friday, May 15 of this year,” the Coptic statement read.
The dialogue had been suspended since March 2024, shortly after the Vatican’s publication of Fiducia Supplicans in December 2023. That declaration permitted priests to offer spontaneous, non-liturgical blessings to individuals in “irregular situations,” including persons in same-sex relationships, while reaffirming the Church’s teaching that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman.
The Coptic Orthodox Church strongly opposed any form of blessing for same-sex unions, viewing them as incompatible with Christian morality. The Synod’s earlier suspension highlighted concerns over perceived shifts in Catholic pastoral practice.
Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded Pope Francis, made renewed outreach to the Coptic Church earlier this month. On May 15, he spoke by phone with Pope Tawadros II on the occasion of the Day of Coptic-Catholic Friendship. The Vatican described the conversation as “cordial and fraternal,” focusing on overcoming obstacles to dialogue rooted in faith and charity, and promoting peace amid conflicts in the Middle East.
In a accompanying letter, Pope Leo expressed hope that the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches—established in 2003—would resume its work promptly. He emphasized the shared Christian witness needed in a divided world.
The Coptic decision marks a significant step toward healing the ecumenical breach. Both churches trace their roots to early Christianity, with relations strengthened in modern times through meetings such as that between Pope Paul VI and Coptic Pope Shenouda III in 1973.
The announcement sparked discussion online and in church circles. Some interpreted Pope Leo’s assurances as a ‘de-emphasis’ or clarification of Fiducia Supplicans, while others noted that the Vatican has consistently rejected formalized liturgical blessings for same-sex couples and that permission of blessing of same-sex couples to be a misinterpretation of the declaration. Translation nuances between the Coptic Arabic statement (“homosexuals”) and English versions (“same-sex couples”) also drew comment.
Pope Leo has previously stated that Church unity should not revolve primarily around sexual matters, prioritizing issues of justice, peace, and broader moral concerns, while upholding traditional doctrine on marriage.
his development comes as both leaders prepare for potential in-person meetings and continued collaboration on theological issues, including Christological agreements from past decades.
Image: St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt, the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope.
