Coptic Pope Shenouda Dies As Egypt Goes Through Important Transition

The New York Times reports that long-time head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, Pope Shenouda III, died Saturday after a long illness. His death comes at a critical time for the 10 million Coptic Christians in Egypt as their country goes through a political transition in which the formal role of Islam is still uncertain. In a statement offering condolences, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Shenouda "an advocate for national unity and religious cooperation." President Obama issued a statement, saying in part: "We stand alongside Coptic Christians and Egyptians as they honor his contributions in support of peace and cooperation."