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Foreign Secretary saddened by the death of Pope Shenouda III

Foreign Secretary William Hague said Pope Shenouda III will be remembered as a man of great wisdom, an advocate of dialogue and tolerance, and a symbol of national unity and reconciliation.

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Pope Shenouda III died on Saturday at the age of 88. His funeral is taking place in Cairo today. Speaking today the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church. The Government and people of the United Kingdom will remember Pope Shenouda III as a man of great wisdom, an advocate of dialogue and tolerance, and a symbol of national unity and reconciliation. Our thoughts are with all those who mourn him in Egypt and who continue to work for the right of all faiths to worship in peace and harmony”.

Published 20 March 2012