The head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III, on Wednesday poked fun of recent rumors about his death.
During his weekly sermon at his papal residence in Abbasseya, which drew a large crowd of worshippers, Shenouda told the audience he "came from the other world" because he missed his people.
Church sources denied Tuesday rumors about Shenouda's death, asserting that the pope was carrying on his regular duties in good health and alleging that the reports seek to destabilize the country.
The pope told attendants he would be absent from next week's sermon as he plans to travel on a religious mission to Hungary and then to the US for medical treatment.
Shenouda freqeuntly travels to the US for medical care.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
