Reports conflicted on the health of Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III as sources confirmed his deteriorating health due to "problems in the kidneys and the heart, which prompted him to cut short his treatment trip in the United States".

Rumors surfaced on Sunday (January 29) that the pope entered into a state of unconsciousness but the Coptic Orthodox Church denied these reports and affirmed that the top Coptic clergyman's health condition is stable.

"The pope's health is okay. He will deliver his weekly sermon tomorrow (Wednesday) at the St. Mark Cathedral," said Bishop Marqus of Shubrā al-Khaymah and Chairman of the Holy Synod's Information Committee, denying Pope Shenouda cut short his therapeutic trip in Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. ['Imād Khalīl, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Jan. 31, p. 4]