VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI says he is "deeply saddened" by the recent violence in Cairo, referring to protests that left 26 dead, most of them Coptic Christian demonstrators.
He condemned what he called attempts to "undermine the peaceful coexistence" among Egyptian communities.
Egypt's Coptic Christians, who represent about 10 percent of the 85 million people in the Muslim-majority nation, have long complained that they are second-class citizens in their own country.
Benedict, speaking at his weekly public audience Wednesday, said he supports efforts to protect the human rights of all, particularly the minorities, in support of national unity.
