CAIRO: The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenuda III, left hospital on Sunday, five days after the 84-year-old was admitted amid fears of his worsening health. The pope left hospital this morning and did his usual schedule, he met with some priests, said Hani Aziz, a close associate of the pope. Coptic Father Salib Matta Sawiris had suggested the pope might stay in hospital in Cairo for a few more days after overcoming pain and severe infection in the gall bladder. Shenuda recently returned from the United States where he underwent medical treatment. He has made several health-related trips abroad this year, fuelling speculation over his succession. Shenuda is the 117th successor of Saint Mark, who according to tradition founded the Coptic Church in the first century AD. He has headed the church since 1971.
