Pope’s visit symbolic for Egypt’s Christians

Pope Francis concludes trip with open-air Mass in Muslim-majority nation that has become target of Islamic State militants.

CAIRO — Pope Francis wrapped up a brief but deeply symbolic visit to Egypt on Saturday with an open-air Mass for the country’s tiny Catholic community, defying security concerns to show his support for the Christians of this Muslim majority Arab nation who have increasingly become targeted by Islamic militants.

Military helicopters flew overhead and police fanned out in force as Francis zoomed around the soccer stadium in suburban Cairo where Mass was held, using an open-topped golf cart and waving to members of the congregation.

The crowd cheered him wildly, waving Egyptian and Holy See flags and swaying to hymns sung by church choirs. The military-run stadium has a capacity of 25,000, but only about 15,000 people attended — a reminder that Catholics represent less than 1 percent of Egypt’s 92 million people.

In his homily, Francis urged them to be good and merciful to their fellow Egyptians, saying, “The only fanaticism believers can have is that of charity!”

It was a very pastoral message after Francis on his first day demanded that Muslim leaders renounce religious fanaticism that leads to violence.

The pope’s gestures — the simple Fiat and the open-topped golf cart — sent a defiant message to the extremist Islamic State group, whose local affiliate in Egypt has vowed to target Egypt’s Christians to punish them for their support of President Abdel-Fattah elSissi.

Recent attacks on churches have killed at least 75 people and injured scores.

Francis’ visit drew praise from Egyptian Catholics, who haven’t seen a pope in their land since St. John Paul II visited in 2000.

“I think he is a man of peace and I think he will be like John Paul II, he will be a saint,” said Mariam Fayek from the stadium grounds.