Directions to Orthodoxy - Egypt's Coptic pope to undergo surgery in US

The head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenuda III, seen here in July 2006, reportedly left Egypt for the United States to undergo back surgery(AFP/File/Khaled Desouki) This post has been viewed 1235 times.

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Egypt's Coptic pope to undergo surgery in US
Posted on Thu Oct 26 2006

October 19, 2006
Agence France Presse

The head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenuda III, reportedly left Egypt for the United States to undergo back surgery.

Shenuda is due to have an operation in a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday to have cartilage removed from his spine, the official MENA news agency said.

"The pain in the pope's back increased in recent days, making it difficult for him to walk," church spokesman Father Morkos told MENA.

"Doctors in Egypt decided on (Tuesday) that he should have the operation, which has already been delayed," he added.

Shenuda, 83, will spend three weeks in the United States, after which he is due back in Egypt for November 14 celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of his consecration as pope.

In June, Shenuda underwent medical tests in Munich, Germany, as well as the United States, fuelling speculation over the succession.

He is the 117th successor of Saint Mark, who according to tradition founded the Coptic Church in the first century AD.

Some 10 percent of the Egyptian population are Copts, according to official figures.

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