Pope's Egypt visit will encourage moderate Islam-Abbas

(ANSA) - Rome, April 12 - Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has written a letter to Pope Francis saying the pontiff's upcoming trip to Egypt will help encourage moderates, sources said Wednesday. Abbas said the two-day visit, confirmed after the Palm Sunday attacks on two Coptic churches that killed dozens, was "a courageous step that reflects your commitment to achieve justice and peace and encourage moderate voices all over the world, especially in our region". He added that he hopes the pope can bring a "message of hope" as well as of "unity, equality and co-existence".