Pope Tawadros II

Pope Tawadros II is the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He was enthroned on 18 November 2012 at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, in succession to Pope Shenouda III.

Before he became pope

He was born on 4 November 1952. The Patriarchate gives his birth name as Wagih Sobhy Baky. He took a degree in pharmacy at the University of Alexandria in 1975 and worked at a pharmaceutical factory before leaving for the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi El Natrun.

He became a monk there in 1988 and was ordained a priest in 1989. In 1997 Pope Shenouda III consecrated him a general bishop, with the name Tawadros, to serve in the diocese of Beheira.

Election

He was chosen on 4 November 2012, his sixtieth birthday. His name was drawn by lot from those of three candidates, in a ceremony at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Cairo.

1. 4 November 1952

   Born.

2. 1975

   Graduates in pharmacy from the University of Alexandria.

3. 31 July 1988

   Becomes a monk at the Monastery of Saint Bishoy.

4. 23 December 1989

   Ordained a priest.

5. 15 June 1997

   Consecrated a general bishop.

6. 4 November 2012

   Chosen as pope by lot.

7. 18 November 2012

   Enthroned at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Cairo.