“We would like, in the name of our Holy Synod, to thank our brothers in all their different positions of responsibility for sharing us in our grief over the departure of Pope Shenouda III, with special thanks to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and Grand Shaykh of the Azhar Dr. Ahmad al-Tayīb,” said Bishop Pachomius in an address on the occasion.

He had held a press conference on Saturday (April 14) to answer all questions regarding the church and the nation. He underlined that the church is committed to all decisions taken by Pope Shenouda, including a ban on Copts’ visit to an occupied Jerusalem.

Bishop Pachomius noted that the selection of a new pope is a process that is currently taking its natural course, dismissing reports about conflicts or tension in this respect.

“There are, however, some different viewpoints but our position regarding commitment to the 1957 statute on the election of a new pope is strong,” he said, noting the church does not back a certain presidential candidate and that Christians enjoy full freedoms to choose whoever they want. [Ashraf Sādiq, al-Ahrām, April 15, p. 6] Read original text in Arabic