14 candidates run for the Christian Coptic papal seat
Maged Riyad, legal consultant to the Coptic Orthodox Church in United States, announced in a press conference in Cairo on Sunday that 14 bishops and priests nominated themselves for the papal chair.
Elections for the new pope are expected to take place in September. Riyad stated that Christian Copts outside Egypt will have a strong influence in choosing the new pope, especially the widespread churches in the US, Canada and Europe.