Pope speaks of Egypt leader's death

Pope Benedict XVI has said the Catholic Church shares the pain of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt over the death of its patriarch, Pope Shenouda III.

Benedict sent a message of condolence following Shenouda’s death yesterday at the age of 88.

Shenouda led Egypt’s Christian minority for more than 40 years amid increasing tensions with Muslims.

Benedict has called for greater protections for Egypt’s estimated 10 million Christians amid a surge of recent attacks, but his message today steered clear of polemics and focused on conveying his prayers for God’s “faithful servant”.

Pope John Paul II met Shenouda during his 2000 trip to Cairo and Pope Paul VI hosted Shenouda at the Vatican in 1973.