Obama saddened by passing of Pope Shenouda III

In Washington, a "saddened" US President Barack Obama hailed Shenouda as an "advocate for tolerance and religious dialogue".

Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria born Nazeer Gayed IPA:, on 3 August 1923 died 17 March 2012. He has served as Pope of Alexandria since 14 November 1971, presiding over a worldwide expansion of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Obama said in a statement that he and his wife Michelle "are saddened to learn of the passing of Coptic Christian Pope Shenouda III, a beloved leader of Egypt's Coptic Christians and an advocate for tolerance and religious dialogue".

"We stand alongside Coptic Christians and Egyptians as they honor his contributions in support of peace and co-operation," he said. Obama said he remembered Shenouda "as a man of deep faith, a leader of a great faith, and an advocate for unity and reconciliation.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered the nation's "deepest condolences".

Shenouda leaves behind a nervous community, a target of frequent sectarian attacks in recent years that complains of routine harassment and systematic discrimination and marginalization.

Copts have been particularly concerned since Islamist parties, including ultra-conservative Salafi groups, won nearly three-quarters of the seats in the first parliamentary elections since Mubarak's removal.