His papacy was during the time when Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire and was ruled by consecutive short-term (2–3 years each) representatives of the sultan and the church was under much pressure from the rulers.
After the departure of Pope Youannas XV on 2 Pi Kogi Enavot 1346 A.M. (7 September 1629 A.D.), the Synod of Bishops met with leaders of the Christian people, and thought together about whom to choose, and in consultation together they came to agreement on a monk named "Tadros" from the monastery of St. Macerious.
He was born in Tookh Menoufia to Christian parents who taught him fear of God and piety, and gave him a good upbringing.
He studied the Coptic language and the Bible as well as math and science of his time).
As he grew up and learned, his inclinations began to appear in the direction of living of asceticism and austerity and asceticism and abstinence; and so longed to monastic life, so he left his town and went to the monastery of St Macerious in the wilderness of Nitrite following the saying of Christ "he who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.