Pope Shenouda back home after medical examinations in Cleveland

The Coptic Orthodox pontiff returned home to Cairo after 10 days of medical examinations in Cleveland, Ohio on the 11th of July According to Daily Star Egypt, Pope Shenouda III had his kidney examined. Last October he removed cartilage from his spine at the same Cleveland hospital.

As usual he was greated upon arrival at Cairo International Airport by state officials, bishops and many Coptic laymen. He reassured the crowd by stating ¨I am in good health¨ but judging from the photo he looked pale and fragile. Hopefully only suffering from jet lag.

The pontiff will celebrate his 84th birthday next month, he has been the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church since 1971.

I would also like to take the opportunity to extend my congratulations to all copts on the occasion of ending the fasting of Rosol, go easy on the food!

Pope Benedict had his own way of extending his greetings. This is Pope Shenouda´s response.

UPDATE: The Pope held his weekly sermon in Anba Ruwais (Abbasiya,Cairo) on Wednesday, always followed by a Q and A session, originally intended for youth, and started in 1965, when Pope Shenouda was one of the first General Bishops ordained by late Pope Kyrillos VI in 1962. Bishop Shenouda was in charge of youth and education within the church.

He said that he had decided to leave Cleveland against the advice of doctors, and before ending his treatment because he was too old for a kidney transplant.


This week´s edition of al Ahram Weekly writes about Pope Shenouda´s return here, unfortunately they only recycle last year´s news of his back operation. Really bad quality journalism from a news outlet that normally hold high standards of journalism.