In his time, the Papal Residence was at the Church of The Holy Virgin Mary & St Mercurius in Haret Zuweila (حارة زويلة) in Coptic Cairo.
After the death of his predecessor Pope Peter V (the 83rd Patriarch of Alexandria) on 6 July 1348, the Episcopal Seat remained vacant for two months (60 days).
A monk (and also a priest) by the name of Gabriel (أبونا الراهب القس غبريال) from the Monastery of Shahran (دير شهران) was chosen as patriarch under the name Pope Mark IV of Alexandria.
Gabriel was also one of those who attended the consecration of the Holy Oil of Chrismation (Miron) in 1342 at the time of his predecessor, Pope Peter V (Episcopate 1340 - 1348).
He was a monk at the monastery of Shahran (دير شهران) who then became a priest at the same monastery and then was assigned to serve at the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary and St Damiana, known as the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo (كنيسة العذراء المعروفة بالمعلقة).