PHOTO GALLERY: Egypt’s Sisi attends Christmas mass at new Nativity of Christ Cathedral

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With Coptic Pope Tawadros applauding, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi greets crowd at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral on 6 January 2018 (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

The Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the new administrative capital (Photo: AP)

Christmas mass at new Nativity of Christ Cathedral

Egyptian Coptic Pope Tawadros II (L), Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Marc Episcopate receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R), at the new Coptic Cathedral at the new Coptic Cathedral "The Nativity of Christ" in the new administrative capital, 45 km east of Cairo, Egypt January 6, 2018, in this handout picture courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency. (Reuters)

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi greets crowd at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral on 6 January 2018 (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi greets crowd at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral on 6 January 2018 (Photo: Reuters)

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi greets crowd at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral on 6 January 2018 (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

(Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi greets crowd at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral on 6 January 2018 (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

Pope Tawadros II welcomes President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the Nativity of Christ Cathedral. 6 January 2018. (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

Pope Tawadros II and Coptic clergy welcome President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the Nativity of Christ Cathedral. 6 January 2018. (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi greets Coptic clergy at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral. Pope Tawadros II (R) 6 January 2018. (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

Pope Tawadros II welcomes President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the Nativity of Christ Cathedral. 6 January 2018. (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)

Christmas 2018 at the new Nativity of Christ Cathedral in Egypt on 6 January 2018 (Photo: AP)

The Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the new administrative capital (Photo: AFP)

Coptic Pope Tawadros II at Christmas mass in the Nativity of Christ Cathedral on 6 January 2018 (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's Presidency)(Photo: AFP)

(Photo: AFP)

Christmas mass at the new Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the new administrative capital in Egypt on 6 January 2018. (Photo: AP)

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi commissioned the building of the church, the largest in the country, in January 2017 following twin terrorist attacks that killed at least 27 Coptic Egyptians at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Cairo.

The president, who entered the cathedral along with Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, stressed that the partial opening of the cathedral is "a message of peace and love from Egypt, not only to Egypt and the region, but to the whole world."