Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI congratulated his Coptic counterpart, Pope Shenouda III, on the 40th anniversary of his inauguration as the patriarch of the Coptic Christian Church. "We congratulate Pope Shenouda III, the successor of St. Mark and founder of the Egyptian church, on the 40th anniversary of your inauguration, and wishing good health to you to resume your spiritual ministry,” said a statement from Benedict. The message is the first of its kind from Benedict since his papacy began in 2005. Pope Shenouda III has led the Coptic church since November 1971, when he succeeded Pope Kirolos VI.
