Coptic Pope Shenouda's Health

There's an old Catholic saying that, at least according to the Vatican's official announcements, the Pope is always in excellent health right up to the moment he dies, meaning the Vatican isn't terribly forthcoming on his health. Another ancient patriarchate whose holder is traditionally referred to as Pope is similarly reticent. Coptic Pope Shenouda III recently returned to Egypt from the US, and you may note three things about the story: 1) he was in the US for a month for medical treatment; 2) it was his sixth trip to the US this year; and 3) there is no mention of what health problem he is being treated for.

Since Shenouda is 86, health issues are almost inevitable. Last year he broke his femur, and apparently hip problems were diagnosed while he was being treated at the Cleveland Clinic. (On that occasion, Husni Mubarak loaned him the Presidential jet.) He generally is treated at the Cleveland Clinic, which is known particularly for its heart expertise, but most reports suggest that Shenouda's problems are otherwise, perhaps including back problems and kidney problems. Some Egyptian reports in the past have said he is on dialysis. A bit of googling will turn up multiple postings on Coptic sites asking for prayers for the Pope, reports of Mubarak calling to reassure himself on the Pope's health (as a fellow octogenarian), and the like.

None of the reported ailments are particularly life threatening, but the frequency of his medical treatments mean that a papal succession is almost inevitable sometime in the next few years, perhaps even before a Presidential succession becomes inevitable.

Until the mid-20th century, Coptic popes were rather apolitical (for obvious reasons of protecting their community), and it was generally Coptic lay leaders who were the spokesmen for the Church to the government. That changed when Shenouda's predecessor, Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) VI, became a friend and admirer of Gamal Abdel Nasser. I've already posted about Shenouda's relations with Anwar Sadat (hostile to the point of being deposed) and Husni Mubarak (supportive to the point of seemingly endorsing Gamal Mubarak as a successor).

The point is that the Egyptian government has quite a bit invested in Shenouda's supportive stance despite many attacks by Islamists on Coptic churches, businesses, etc. Overseas Copts are much less enthusiastic about Shenouda, and there are divisions in the church leadership. The succession, when it comes, will be highly politicized, however much the Coptic faithful may deny it. It will be watched closely by the government and the overseas Copts. So Shenouda's health is not merely of interest to Copts, but to everyone who watches Egypt as Husni Mubarak ages.

Oh, and one further note: one thing I have in common with the Pope is he's a fellow editor. Before he was Pope he edited the Church's newspaper, Al-Keraza, and still regularly writes for it.