CAIRO: Pope Shenouda III, head of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, has returned to Egypt yesterday from a short 10-day medical trip in the US The Pope had flown to the US for kidney examinations. He was accompanied by Dr Youssef Riad, his personal physician, to the world famous Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. In a short press conference held at the VIP hall of the Cairo International Airport, the Pope, who turns 84 next month, thanked the crowds that came to greet him and assured them that the trip has been successful and that the results of the examinations were good. The Pope s statement comes shortly after a series of widespread rumors claiming that his medical condition was critical. This is the Pope s first medical trip since last October s spinal surgery. Several acquaintances of the Pope, top bishops and church officials, political Coptic figures and businessmen, and an official governmental envoy, were among those who received the Pope at the airport. After the press conference, the Pope, who looked exhausted after the long trip from New York, headed to the Papal headquarters of Anba Rowes in Abasseya where a large public reception was held to celebrate his return and recovery. Numerous congregations from different parts of the country went in droves to the Cathedral of St. Mark to receive the Pope's blessings. He is scheduled to give his weekly public lecture this afternoon.
