Egypt's Coptic Pope Tawadros II urged intellectuals and the country's educated elite to stand in the face of conflicts and terrorism around the world.

The Pope made his call during the Easter eve service held at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo on Saturday that was attended by some 3,000 people including a slew of top government officials and local dignitaries.

"Humanity needs owners of enlightening ideas, intellectuals, visionaries...and those with constructive knowledge to stand in the face of dark minds that hold back the progress of societies," the Pope said during his sermon.

"What kind of human mind can conceive of wars, conflicts, acts of murder and terror that have prevailed in many places east and west?" he wondered.

The Orthodox Easter mass is a religious celebration that marks the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the defence minister and other top government officials sent messages of congratulations and representatives to attend the religious celebration, which lasted for hours. Also present were a number of western and Arab ambassadors including those of Canada, USA, Britain and Jordan.

In Alexandria, Bishop Pavle led the Easter mass at the St. Mark's Cathedral of the Mediterranean city.

Egypt's Coptic Christians make up approximately 10 percent of the country's 90 million predominantly Sunni Muslim population.