Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Saint Mark Episcopate, began his medical treatment at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Dr. Tharwat Bassily, Undersecretary of the Confessional Council, said the Pope arrived in Cleveland on Saturday night, rested on Sunday, and began his medical tests on Monday morning. He explained that the Pope's trip is for regular medical treatment, as the doctors asked him to come to the U.S. every 6 months for follow-up on his health and his body functions. He said that the Pope was in good health before his departure, and that he met for three hours with the Confessional Council, discussed many topics and explained how things will be done in his absence. He said the return date for the Pope will be based on the results of the tests, and will not be determined before at least 4 days. On another note, Pope Shenouda sent an official delegation from the Church of Alexandria to attend the funeral of Marwa el-Sherbini, the veil martyr of Germany, to offer condolences to her family. Joseph Malak, a member of the Alexandria Church defense team, said the Pope sent him with Dr. Kamil Seddik and Nader Morkos from the Confessional Council to attend the funeral in the morning, and another delegation from the Alexandria priests to offer condolences on behalf of Pope Shenouda and the Egyptian Church to the family of the deceased. He said the Pope asked to relay to the family that he denounces this heinous crime and cowardly criminal act which led to the martyrdom of Dr. Marwa, that he finds it a despicable act that is not approved by any religion or belief and that he wishes the family patience and fortitude.
