The Coptic Orthodox church has chosen a new pope, Bishop Tawadros, to lead the Middle East's biggest Christian community.In a sumptuous ritual filled with prayer, chants and incense at Abbasiya cathedral in Cairo, the 60-year-old bishop's name was picked by a blindfolded child from a glass bowl in which the names of two other candidates had also been placed.
Tawadros replaces Pope Shenouda III who led the church for four decades until he died in March aged 88.
Many will look to the new pope to ensure the voice of Christians, who have long complained of discrimination in Egypt, are heard.
Bishop Tawdros, 60, is widely known to Coptic Christians abroad and received the second highest number of votes in the first round.
Most of his lectures revolve around the co-existing between members of society.
Pope Shenouda, who headed the Coptic Church from 1971, died on March 17, earlier this year, at the age of 88.
Deputy Head of the Alexandria Church, Roas Morkos hoped the new pope can mirror his predecessor's spirit.
“This election is of great importance because choosing the head of the church is not an easy matter and it is of major importance to all Egyptians, both Christians and Muslims.
“It is also important how the pope will care for the needs of Christians and how he will carry the spirit of Pope Shenouda III in dealing with the state as well as our Muslim brothers and all other factions," he said.
Christians had long complained of discrimination under former president Hosni Mubarak and still complain of unfair rights in Egypt's new constitution.
They also complain of misrepresentation in Egypt's Islamist government.
"We hope that the policies of the country change because the new pope isn't the one who should improve relations; the state should be the one to enhance relations," Morkos continued.
TV footage of the cathedral's interior showed Priest Bokhomious showing each paper with names typed and placed them in transparent crystal balls.
The crystal balls were sealed with wax.
Revolutionary Coptic activist, George Ishaq hoped the new pope will be in line with the demands of Egypt's 2011 revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February.
"We hope to see the new pope with a new vision and spirit that goes well with the 25 January revolution."