India condoles Pope Shenouda’s death

March 20, 2012: India has condoled the death of Pope Shenouda, the patriarch of the Coptic Church. Terming the 88-year-old as a great Egyptian patriot, external affairs Minister of India, S M Krishna said he was deeply saddened to learn about the demise of the pope.

In his letter to Egyptian foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr, Krishna said Pope Shenouda III was both a great believer in the virtues of religious tolerance and reconciliation. "We in India share the sense of loss at the passing away of this great figure," he said.

"I offer my sincere condolences to the Egyptian people and members of the Coptic Orthodox faith," the Minister added. The charismatic leader of the largest Christian group in the Middle East will be buried on Wednesday.