According to a statement issued by the church, Pope Tawadros II inaugurated the renovations in the area between the entrance of the cathedral and the entrance of the Holy Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria at the complex.

The event was attended by prominent Coptic clergy in Alexandria.

On 9 April 2017, during the celebrations of Palm Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated himself in the cathedral, killing 17 people and injuring 48. The terrorist attack also damaged key parts of the historic church.

On the same day, another suicide bomber detonated himself in Tanta’s Mar Girgis Cathedral, killing 28 people and injuring 70.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the two terrorist attacks.

The renovation works at the cathedral in Alexandria have been completed by a major real-estate development company as a gift to the church, the statement noted.

St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria is one of the oldest churches in the Middle East, dating back to 60 CE when St Mark came to the city to spread the gospel.

Photos of the victims, including policemen, have been placed at the entrance of the cathedral in honour of the martyrs.

Coptic Orthodox Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of the country’s Christian population, are set to celebrate Christmas on 7 January, according to the Julian Calendar.

The pope is set to head the Coptic Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve in the Church of the Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative Capital.