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Theodore II (Sobhi Baki Soleiman) of Alexandria

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: ''For the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|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 Orthodox Church|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.
[[File:TheodoreIIofAlexandria(CopticPope118).JPG‎]]
==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 [[ordination|ordained ]] a [[priest ]] in 1989.
==Views and issues==
==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 [[List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria|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==
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