Archbishop Anba Pachomius the acting Patriarch of Coptic Church

22/3/2012 Coptic Church committee to discuss papal candidates. The Holy Synod, the Coptic Church’s highest authority, will hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss papal nominees; Church to send acting-Pope’s name to Egypt’s de facto leader Tantawi for approval. The highest authority of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod, which is comprised of 120 archbishops, is due to hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the appointment of a new pope.