Pope Shenouda III returned to Cairo today after spending a week at the Bishop Bishūy Monastery in Wādī al-Natrūn for the Christmas fast.

A source at the papal office said that the Pope plans to attend the opening of the new parliamentary session next Sunday, in which President Muhammad Hunsī Mubārak is set to deliver a much anticipated speech.

The source also said that the Pope is absolutely healthy and that his trip to the monastery is completely normal at this time of year, despite rumors to the contrary.