Cairo ( CNN ) -- Coptic Pope Shenouda III , the spiritual leader of Egypt 's Coptic Christian community for nearly four decades , died Saturday , according to the head of the Egyptian General Coptic Association . He was 88 . `` Shenouda III suffered renal failure ... due to the diabetes he endured for years , '' Sheif Doss told CNN . The leader of the Coptic Christian community for 38 years , Shenouda was in poor health off and on for many years . He traveled to the United States to undergo medical tests last year . Egypt 's population is roughly 9 % Coptic Christian , according to the U.S. State Department . The Christian minority has been the target of a number of high-profile attacks in the past several years , including the bombing of a major church in Alexandria last January that left at least 21 people dead . `` The funeral is expected to take place in two days , as massive preparations must take place first . It is a historical event and 2 million people are expected to attend the prayers . I do n't expect violence though , '' Doss said . Markus Askuf , spokesman for the Coptic Church , said Shenouda 's body is expected to arrive at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo at noon Sunday . Visitors will be permitted to come and pray there . Shenouda will be buried Tuesday at Emba Bishoy monastery in Wadi Natroun , northwest of Egypt 's capital , Askuf said . The area is home to some of the world 's earliest Christian monasteries . The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian church in the Middle East , according the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in Stevenage , England . In addition to millions of followers in Egypt , the church has adherents in Europe , Canada , the United States , Kenya , Zimbabwe , Namibia and South Africa , the center says . U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife offered their condolences Saturday after news of Shenouda 's death spread , saying he will be remembered as `` a man of deep faith , a leader of a great faith , and an advocate for unity and reconciliation . '' `` His commitment to Egypt 's national unity is also a testament to what can be accomplished when people of all religions and creeds work together , '' the Obamas said . When a Coptic pope dies , all 150 bishops of the church 's Holy Council appoint an acting patriarch until a vote is conducted for a successor , Doss said . Thousands of bishops , priests and monks are eligible to vote . The most senior bishop usually takes the role of acting patriarch . In this case , that would be Bishop Michael of Asiut . If he declines , Bishop Bakhamious of Behira is next in line , Doss said .
NEW : Pope Shenouda III is to be buried Tuesday , a spokesman says . US : President Obama and his wife express their condolences . He led the Coptic Christian community for 38 years . Egyptian Christians , 10 % of the population , have been targeted in violence in recent years .