Theodore II (Sobhi Baki Soleiman) of Alexandria

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For the Eastern Orthodox Pope with the same name and title, see Theodoros II (Choreftakis) of Alexandria.

Pope Theodoros II (in Arabic: ‏البابا تواضروس الثاني) is the 118th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark since he took office on November 18, 2012, a fortnight after being selected.

Early life

Pope Theodore was born Wagih Sobhi Baki Soleiman (in Arabic: وجيه صبحى باقى سليمان) on November 4, 1952 in the region of Mansoura, Egypt. He studied at the University of Alexandria, where he received a degree in pharmacy in 1975. He then managed a state-owned pharmaceutical factory, when he entered the monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi El-Natrun to study theology for two years. He was ordained a priest in 1989.

Views and issues

Theodoros has stated that the 2011 Egyptian revolution was a turning point in the Coptic Church's relations with its youth. Amongst his first tasks is the issue of Egypt's changing political landscape, given the new constitution and more independent-minded congregates who seek their demands outside the church in dealing with the state.

Papal selection

The papal selection process began several weeks before the November 4, 2012 selection. About 2,400 clergymen and others shortlisted three candidates: Bishop Theodoros, Bishop Raphael, a former aide to the previous Pope, Pope Shenouda III, and Father Raphael Ava Mina, a monk in St. Mina's monastery near Alexandria, and the disciple of the 116th Pope, Pope Cyril VI. The process faced controversy as many congregates sought a greater say in the process. The three were considered consensus candidates as they were not involved in church disputes and were neither too conservative nor too liberal.

The ceremony to choose the pope from the three consensus candidates was held at Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral at about noon and featured a marked police presence. Prior to the selection, Metropolitan Pachomius of Behira, locum tenens of the Church, sealed the chalice with the names with red wax and put it upon the altar as he led Mass. He then told the congregation: "We will pray that God will choose the good shepherd." Following a moment of silence, a blindfolded boy then picked Theodoros' name from the chalice. The thousands of congregates in attendance then erupted in ovation, tears or prayer. In reaction Theodoros II said, from the monastery at Wadi El-Natrun: "[We] will start by organising the house from within. It is a responsibility. Most important is...that the church, as an institution, serves the community." Egyptian President Morsi congratulated Theodoros and called for Egyptian "unity" and "brotherly love" between Copts and the Muslim community.

Sources and external links

• Bishop Tawadros new pope of Egypt's Coptic Christians. BBC News. 4 November 2012 Last updated at 05:09 ET.
• Egypt's Coptic church chooses new pope. CBC News (AP). Nov 4, 2012 6:25 AM ET. (Pope Tawadros II picked from shortlist of 3 names drawn from chalice).
• Yasmine Saleh. Blindfolded child chooses new pope for Egypt’s Copts. National Post (Reuters). Nov 4, 2012 12:14 PM ET.
• Egypt's Copts choose new pope for uncertain times], By AYA BATRAWY, Associated Press – Nov 4, 2012.
• Tawadros II: The 118th pope of the Coptic Church ], Egypt Independent (Al-Masry Al-Yom), Nov 4, 2012.
• L'évêque Tawadros, nouveau patriarche copte d'Egypte (in French). Le Parisien. Nov 4, 2012.
• YouTube video: Words and gift of the Greek Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria to the new Coptic Pope of Alexandria, Cairo, Nov 18, 2012 (His Beatitude's name is the same as that of the new Coptic Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodoros II)
• Message Of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI To His Holiness Anba Tawadros, Pope-Elect Of Alexandria And Patriarch Of The See Of Saint Mark (Vatican, Nov 18, 202)
• English Wikipedia.

Succession box: Theodore II (Sobhi Baki Soleiman) of Alexandria
Preceded by: Shenouda III	Pope of Alexandria (Coptic) 2012- (incumbent)	Succeeded by: -

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