His Holiness Pope Tawadros (Theodore) the 2nd - the 118th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark.

Pope Tawadros II was born in Waǧīh Ṣubḥī Bāqī Sulaymān (وجيه صبحى باقى سليمان) on 4 November 1952 (25 Paopi 1668) in the city of Mansoura in Egypt. He studied at the University of Alexandria, where he received a degree in pharmacy in 1975. After a few years of managing a state-owned pharmaceutical factory, he joined the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Wadi Natrun to study theology for two years.

He was ordained a priest in 1989 (1705-1706).

The ceremony to choose the pope from the three consensus candidates was held at Cairo’s St. Mark’s Cathedral. Prior to the selection, Metropolitan Pachomios sealed the chalice with the names with red wax and put it upon the altar as he led Mass. He then told the congregation: “We will pray that God will choose the good shepherd.” Following a moment of silence, a blindfolded boy then picked Theodoros’s name from the chalice. The thousands of people in attendance then erupted in ovation and tears of joy.  

In reaction Pope Theodoros II said, from the monastery at Wadi Natrun: “We will start by organising the house from within. It is a responsibility. Most important is…that the church, as an institution, serves the community.”

The Lord is at your right hand, our saintly father, the patriarch Pope Abba Tawadros the 2nd. May the God of Heaven confirm him on his throne for many years and peaceful times, humiliate all his enemies under his feet speedily, grant him calm and delightful times and grant us grace and mercy through his prayers and supplications. Amen.