Egypt's Coptic Christian leader Pope Shenouda III (Photo: AP)
Assiut Governorate Bishop Abram said on Saturday that seven names have been nominated to succeed the late Pope Shenouda III though elections are to be unveiled on 15 May.
While speaking to Al-Ahram's Arabic site, Abram, the secretary of the candidacy committee, refused to disclose the identities of the candidates who applied to take part in the elections over the past couple of days.
He also stressed that the committee has not officially stated the names of the candidates yet.
Judge Edward Ghaleb, a member of the Church's general congregation council and candidacy committee, said the new pope will be elected after a draw determines three final candidates that will later compete in the papacy elections.
He told Al-Ahram's Arabic website: "Choosing the dates of the elections will come after the logs of the voters are ready.
"Eligible constituents will be able to register their names on Tuesday in order to cast their votes in the elections."
Only certain officials from the church and its affiliates are entitled to cast their votes in the elections of the pope.
The successor of Shenouda, who died on 17 March aged 88, will be Egypt's 118th Pope.
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