Bishop Tawadros was chosen as new Pope of Egypt's Coptic Christians Sunday when a blindfolded altar boy picked his name from a chalice in a ceremony invoking divine guidance for the beleaguered minority. Acting head of the church Bishop Pachomius took the ballot from the boy's hand and, showing it to those crowded into St. Mark's Cathedral, announced: "Bishop Tawadros." The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as church bells tolled in celebration across the country.

Tawadros, a 60-year-old doctor and Bishop for Beheira, was among three potential candidates chosen to replace Pope Shenuda III, who died in March.