Pope Shenouda III (b. August 3, 1923) is the head of The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. His full official title is Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.

After graduating from Cairo University, he joined the Coptic Orthodox Seminary, and later, joined the faculty of the seminary. In 1962, he was called by the late Pope Cyril VI to be consecrated Bishop of Christian Education and President of the Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary. On November 14, 1971, he was consecrated as His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

Under his Papacy, the Coptic Church spread in North America, from 3 in 1971, to more than 100 at the turn of the 21st century.

Links:

• Pope Shenouda III Biography at copticchurch.net