His Beatitude Stéphanos II (Andraos) Ghattas, C.M., was born on 16 January 1920 in Cheikh-Zein-el-Dine near Tahta, in what was then the Eparchy of Luxor. After studying at St. Leo the Great Seminary and later with the Jesuit Fathers, he moved on to the Pontifical Urban College of Propaganda Fide, where he obtained a licentiate in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained a priest in Rome on 25 March 1944.

Returning to his homeland, he taught at the Seminary of Tahta, and then entered the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists) in Paris on 2 October 1952, taking temporary vows on 17 October 1954 and perpetual vows on 17 October 1957.

He was assigned to Beirut, where he held various positions, including that of Director of the Lazarist Fathers’ Seminary. In 1960, he was transferred to Alexandria, Egypt, and in 1966, he was appointed Superior of that religious house.

On 8 May 1967, the Coptic Synod elected him Bishop of Luxor, and on 9 June he received episcopal ordination. He immediately proved himself to be a good and zealous pastor, particularly attentive to the problems of the clergy and the faithful.

Appointed Secretary of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchal Synod, he was able to follow closely the problems of the entire Patriarchate, until on 24 February 1984, the Holy Father, considering the age and state of health of His Eminence Cardinal Stéphanos I Sidarouss, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, appointed Monsignor Ghattas Apostolic Administrator “sede plena” of the Patriarchate.

When the patriarchal see became vacant following the resignation of Cardinal Sidarouss on 18 April 1986, Monsignor Ghattas was appointed Apostolic Administrator “sede vacante” by the Holy Father. He convened the Patriarchal Synod on 9 June 1986: the Coptic Catholic Bishops, gathered at the patriarchal residence in Pont-de-Koubbeh, canonically elected Monsignor Andraos Ghattas. The Prelate, as a sign of deference to his predecessor, took the name Stéphanos II. On 23 June 1986, the new Patriarch received the “Comunio Ecclesiastica” from John Paul II.

In June 1997, the Patriarch led the ad limina visit of the Catholic hierarchy of Egypt and, addressing the Holy Father, reaffirmed the fidelity and devotion of the Catholic Church of Egypt to the Successor of Peter, “messenger of universal peace and fraternal dialogue.”

During John Paul II’s historic pilgrimage to Mount Sinai from 24 to 26 February 2000, he welcomed the Holy Father, accompanying his “prayerful and silent steps” in the footsteps of Moses. The Patriarch also led the pilgrimage of the Jubilee Year, which culminated in the Divine Liturgy in the Coptic-Alexandrian rite celebrated on 14 August 2000 in the Basilica of St Mary Major. On 18 August, he accompanied pilgrims from the Coptic Patriarchate of Alexandria to Castel Gandolfo to express to the Pope an affectionate and unanimous “jubilee thanks” in grateful memory of the visit made the previous February.

His Beatitude Ghattas, in addition to being Head of the Synod of the Coptic Catholic Church, was President of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy of Egypt. John Paul II created him Cardinal on 21 February 2001. , Synod of Bishops of the Coptic Catholic Church, which met from 27 to 30 March 2006, accepted his resignation from the patriarchal office, presented for reasons of age and health.

His Beatitude Stéphanos II Ghattas passed away on 20 January 2009 in Cairo, shortly after his 89th birthday.

The process of beatification of Patriarch Cardinal Stéphanos II will begin as soon as possible in Alexandria, Egypt, by Patriarch His Beatitude Ibrahin Isaac of the Coptic Catholics. On 14 November 2025, the Postulation sent a letter to the Patriarch with some suggestions on how to formally begin this inquiry.

Office of General Postulation – CM