Pope Tawadros II, leader of the Coptic Church, has praised a visit by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to the orthodox cathedral on Coptic Christmas, saying that it marked the beginning of a new era in Egypt. Tawadros said in a press statement that Sisi's visit was unexpected, and that it sent a message to all Egyptians that Christians enjoyed full rights in the country. President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi attended the Coptic Christmas mass at Saint Mark's Cathedral on Tuesday, marking the first ever attendance by an Egyptian president.