Egypt’s Coptic Christian pope is coming out in strong opposition to the nation’s Islamist leadership, calling the new constitution discriminatory, especially toward Christians, and openly criticizing President Mohammed Morsi for religious remarks.

Pope Tawadros II, who assumed his office in November, said the Islamist constitution “bore a religious slant, and that in itself is discriminatory,” in an interview with The Associated Press. Mr. Tawadros also condemned Mr. Morsi’s characterization of Christians as a minority.

“We are a part of the soil of this nation,” he said, according to AP. “We are not a minority when it comes to value, history and the love of our nation.”

Christians comprise an estimated 10 percent of Egypt’s population, AP states.

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