Pope Pope Tawadros II said he supports releasing former President Hosni Mubarak, after spending four years in prison, citing his age and the "good deeds" he did during his office.
He added in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Tuesday that the recent years of Mubarak and ousted President Mohamed Morsy were dark because of corruption, stressing that Egypt will change for the better over the next three years.
Political analysts say an increase in public support for Mubarak signals a return of the "old regime."
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
