Egypt's Copts pay respects to Pope Shenouda III – gallery

The body of the late patriarch will remain on display until the funeral takes place, on Tuesday Photograph: Nasser Nasser/AP

Tens of thousands of Egyptian Coptic Christians have flocked to the cathedral Photograph: Demotix/Corbis

Copts stand in line to pay their respects and view the body of the pope Photograph: Esam Omran Al-fetori/Reuters

A Copt tries to climb the walls of the cathedral Photograph: Demotix/Corbis

Thousands of Egyptian Coptic Christians gather in Cairo to pay their final respects to Pope Shenouda III Photograph: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters

The pope's body is on viewed at Abbasiya cathedral. His body has been placed on the Mar Morqos throne – the Throne of Saint Mark – from which he oversaw services Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Coptic Christians mourn the 88-year-old pope Photograph: Amr Nabil/AP

Baba Shenouda, as he was known to his followers, headed one of the most ancient churches in the world Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Barack Obama said Shenouda was 'an advocate for tolerance and religious dialogue' Photograph: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters

Shenouda's portrait was hung in many Coptic homes and businesses Photograph: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters

Mourners at the Abassiya cathedral Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Thousands have paid their respects in and around the cathedral Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Under church law, the process of choosing Shenouda's successor can take up to three months, but an interim leader will be picked within a week Photograph: Khalil Hamra/AP

Shenouda was born Nazeer Gayed on 3 August 1923, and was elected to the papacy in 1971 Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

An Egyptian Christian weeps for the late pope Photograph: Amr Nabil/AP

A mourner prays next to the body Photograph: AMR ABDALLAH DALSH/Reuters