Patriarch of Alexandria

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The Patriarch of Alexandria is the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Historically, this office has held the title of Pope, and did so before it was bestowed upon the Pope of Rome. Bestowing the title on Rome's patriarch did not strip it from Alexandria's. There are currently three claimants to this title:

• The Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church
• The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria
• The Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, a bishop in communion with the Roman Catholic Church

All three claimants acknowledge the same succession of church leaders up to about 460. According to church tradition, the patriarchate was founded in 42 by Saint Mark the Evangelist.