Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Marks Diocese arrived on Saturday in Japan on his first visit to the Asian state since assuming his post in 2012.

On Friday, the pope headed for the UAE en route to Japan within his two-week tour that will also take him to Australia.

While in Dubai, the pope met with Egyptian Consul Tareq Abdel Hamid and Commercial Attache Younan Edward as well as Father Mina Hanna, the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church and other priests.

During the tour, the pope is scheduled to carry out several pastoral activities, lay down the foundation stone for a diocese in Sydney and inaugurate a number of services projects.

The pope is also expected to meet with several officials during the tour.

Source: MENA