Coptic Pope rebukes Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi over clashes at cathedral

The leader of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church has criticised the Islamist President over his handling of recent deadly sectarian violence, including an attack on the main cathedral in Cairo.

In an interview on the private ONTV channel, Pope Tawadros II, right, said President Mohamed Morsi had “promised to do everything to protect the cathedral but in reality we don’t see this”. The Pope said the failure to do so “comes under the category of negligence”.

The remarks by Pope Tawadros underscore rising tensions between Egypt’s Muslims and Christians and were his first direct criticism of the President since he was enthroned in November as leader of seven million Orthodox Christians.