Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria

Who is Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria?

Pope Tawadros (Theodoros) II (Greek: Παπα Αββα Θεόδωρος Β΄ (Papa Abba Θeodoros) will be the 118th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark when he takes office on 18 November 2012, a fortnight after being selected. He was born Waǧīh Ṣubḥī Bāqī Sulaymān (وجيه صبحى باقى سليمان). He studied at the University of Alexandria, where he received a degree in pharmacy in 1975. He managed a state-owned pharmaceutical factory until 1986, when he was entering the monastery in Wadi Natrun to study theology for two years. He was ordained a priest in 1989. He has been said to be a strong advocate for the reunification with the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The papal selection process began several weeks earlier. About 2,400 clergymen and church laymen shortlisted three candidates, that included Bishop Tawadros, Bishop Raphael, a former aide to the previous Pope Shenouda III, and Father Raphael Ava Mina, a monk in a monastery near Alexandria. The process faced controversy as many congregants 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. Prior to the selection, acting Pope Pachomios 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 6 year old boy then picked Tawadros' name from the chalice. The thousands of congregants in attendance then erupted in ovation, tears or prayer. In reaction Tawadros II said, from the monastery at Wadi Natrun: "[We] will start by organizing the house from within. It is a responsibility. Most important is...that the church, as an institution, serves the community." Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi congratulated Tawadros and called for Egyptian "unity" and "brotherly love" between Copts and the Muslim community.