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.