Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt's Coptic Church, died on Saturday at the age of 88, state-run television said, M&C reported citing DPA.Coptic Bishop Bishoy also announced Shenouda's death in a statement.

Over the past few years, Shenouda had been abroad for medical treatment and his health had recently deteriorated.

He was enthroned as the 117th Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church in November 1971, leading most of Egypt's Christians, who make up some 10 per cent of the 80-million population.

Pope Shenouda was criticized in the early days of the popular uprising that forced Mubarak to resign last year for calling on protesters to end their rallies.

He later praised the youth of the revolution and the military.