Sadat then chose five Coptic bishops and asked them to choose a new pope.

The pectoral cross worn by Coptic bishops and abbots is sometimes made from intricately worked leather, though metal pectorals are also used.

In the past, Coptic bishops have worn the ballin, an omophorion wound around the head like a turban.

Early in his reign he detained the Coptic bishop Abba Yeshaq, who had passed through Sennar on his way to Ethiopia.

He returned to Italy on 26 August 1441 with four Coptic bishops, although eventually the efforts at reunion proved fruitless.

One other Coptic bishop, namely Bishop Picenti of Helwan and Massarah commented on the issue saying:

He also appointed the first Coptic bishops in Europe, Australia and South America.

Coptic bishops and priests in France and Germany filed complaints and called for governmental protection.

Not only were Coptic bishops of this time not officially recognized, they were also forbidden to enter Alexandria.

In 1741, a Coptic bishop in Jerusalem named Anba Athanasius became a Catholic.