Official logo for Pope Francis' visit to Egypt

[M-Dent]

I pray for peace constantly, but Islam is NOT a religion of peace and all Christians are infidels.

It’s very frightening.

Pray earnestly for conversions to Christ.

In the meantime, the Muslims in Egypt are needed to help protect the Christians and thankfully some are helping do just that. The Holy Father will most likely be saying Mass is public in Cairo, Christian have died in that area recently at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Pope Francis is certainly demonstrating his faith in God with such a visit. Pray for him.

 

[Exiled_Child]

During the 5th Crusade St. Francis preached against the crusade in the crusaders camp. After having a dream showing a spectacular defeat he told the Christians outright, God is not on your side. I’m guessing the soldiers weren’t too happy with him, one apparently called him a “despicable Friar” in a chronicle. He was right though, they got slaughtered. Since the Christians ignored him he went to the Sultan to give that a shot.

He’s my confirmation saint, and I like learning new things about him. Do you happen to know the name of that chronicle, by the way?

 

[Exiled_Child]

The Pope was invited to Egypt and the main goal is to support the local efforts against religious violence. The ISIS affiliate in Egypt have targeted and attacked the Coptic Christians yet President el-Sissi has had some outreach efforts helping the religious minority. This is a critical period for Egypt to drive out ISIS and create stability and peace.

The symbol representing the religion of the Muslim majority in Egypt is quite appropriate. It is truthful of reality. So is the desire for peace, which is the prayer and goal.

:clapping: Agree completely, Michael.

 

[Seamus_L]

The crescent and cross are so close that it look’s like one symbol.

 

[J_Peterson]

He’s my confirmation saint, and I like learning new things about him. Do you happen to know the name of that chronicle, by the way?

Unfortunately I don’t. It was in The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi’s Mission of Peace by Paul Moses. I checked the bibliography once before and he didn’t source it; I would love to read it for myself.

He was my confirmation saint as well. I didn’t fully understand why I picked him until I was in my late 30’s. Funny how that works sometimes.

 

[RomanoAmerio]

Dear (name removed by moderator),

Where is the crescent moon used in Christian / Catholic symbols? I am curious and eager to be instructed.

As for the “Evil Pope tries to impose one world religion” nonsense, I think those who espouse it should have their mouths washed out with soap. It was an old-fashioned remedy, but it worked wonders. Ask my mother.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Why is a logo needed at all? It’s a papal visit, not a marketing campaign for a new brand of soup.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[M-Dent]

I have seen fundamentalists complain of many symbols supposedly proving claims of pagan or satanic sources. It fails to amaze.

The symbol used in Marian art is one not many may have noticed, in current times.

CRESCENT MOON
Definition

A favorite symbol of Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception, as early as the fifteenth century. The representation is based on the passage “Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon under her feet” (Apocalypse 12:1). Combined with the crescent moon, the Cross depicted the Christian victory at Lepanto gained by Mary’s intercession.

Catholic Dictionary at CatholicCulture.org

Also, see the International Marian Research Institute at University of Dayton. Crescent Moon: Meaning.

 

[M-Dent]

Sadly, another attack against the Coptic Christians while at Mass. This amplifies how many of the Christians in the Middle East and Africa regions are suffering and being cast out of their communities. Terrible times.

Vatican City, Apr 9, 2017 / 04:16 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After a bomb blast killed over 20 people and wounded several others during Palm Sunday celebrations in Egypt, Pope Francis voiced his closeness to the Coptic nation, and prayed for those who perpetrate violence through the arms trade.

After celebrating Palm Sunday Mass April 9, Pope Francis prayed for victims of “the attack that unfortunately took place today near Cairo,” voicing his closeness to Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawardos II, to and to the entire death Coptic nation.

---

The attack took place just two weeks before Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Egypt April 28-29 in what is largely a bid to foster greater Catholic-Muslim dialogue, particularly on the point of ending extremist violence.

Francis offered his words of sorrow before leading pilgrims in the traditional Angelus prayer after Mass.

catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-prays-for-victims-of-attack-on-coptic-church-in-egypt-45202/

 

[RomanoAmerio]

I have seen fundamentalists complain of many symbols supposedly proving claims of pagan or satanic sources. It fails to amaze.

The symbol used in Marian art is one not many may have noticed, in current times.

Also, see the International Marian Research Institute at University of Dayton. Crescent Moon: Meaning.

Dear Jharek and M-Dent,

Thank you for the valuable information.

I remember a wonderful essay by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in which he predicted (prophesied?) that it would be Our Blessed Mother who would lead some Moslems to convert to the Catholic Faith. Perhaps it would be more constructive to view the shared crescent moon symbol that way.

My apologies for my former statements in this thread. I now retract them, as I cannot “edit” them this late in the day.

 

[TK421]

I don’t agree with the criticisms being brought up for having the Crescent Moon on the logo. The main purpose of the visit is to promote peace in inter-religious matters and especially concerns over ISIS violence in Iraq & Syria spilling into Egypt. The Pope is always the Vicar of Christ, but in day to day life, he is and always has been a man that wears many hats: statesman, administrator, pastor, diplomat, writer, etc. This visit is primarily diplomatic.

A Crescent Moon doesn’t mean the Pope is accepting Islamic doctrine or any other strange ideas being inferred from it. That is conflation on behalf of individuals that is unwarranted and potentially sinful. One should always default to a stance of assuming the benefit of the doubt unless explicit reason is given to think otherwise.

A papal visit means there’s going to be a lot of journalists, public figures, civil servants, crowds, caterers, cameras, etc. etc. A logo shouldn’t be so surprising. This isn’t much different from papal visits in previous centuries involving a procession that resembles a king. It’s not because the Pope is being decadent, but he is a major world figure and when he plans a visit, there’s going to be attention & fanfare whether he asks for it or not.

One criticism that would be appropriate is the lack of Egyptian meat pie. I would have put a giant Egyptian meat pie next to the dove, with a slice of extra sweet basbousa and some parsley sprigs.

 

[RomanoAmerio]

One criticism that would be appropriate is the lack of Egyptian meat pie. I would have put a giant Egyptian meat pie next to the dove, with a slice of extra sweet basbousa and some parsley sprigs.

Dear TK421,

The “fleshpots of Egypt”?

Very amusing!