Pope Tawadros II became the 118th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, following a unique selection process that emphasized spiritual significance and community involvement. The election was held in Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral, attended by thousands of faithful, clerics, and church leaders who came to witness the important event. His election came after the passing of Pope Shenouda III, who led the Coptic Church for more than four decades and played an influential role in the lives of Copts both in Egypt and across the diaspora.

The election process involved a ritual where names of the candidates were placed in a glass bowl, and a blindfolded child drew a name to signify God's choice. Tawadros's name was selected, igniting celebrations among Copts who welcomed a leader perceived to embody both traditional values and a commitment to modernity and outreach. Prior to his papacy, Tawadros served as the Bishop of Beheira and had a reputation for being approachable and well-versed in both spiritual and social issues. His election was seen as an essential step for the church to navigate the challenges it faced in contemporary Egyptian society.

Pope Tawadros II's service began against a backdrop of political change and social upheaval in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. His leadership has aimed to unite the Coptic community and address concerns regarding their status in a predominantly Muslim society. Under his guidance, the church has continued to advocate for religious tolerance and has sought to strengthen relations with other Christian denominations, while staying true to its Coptic Orthodox traditions.