Coptic pope celebrated at Sydney event

More than 1000 Coptic Christians have celebrated their patriarch's visit to Australia during a reception in Sydney's west.

Pope Tawadros II, touring Australia for the first time since being ordained in 2012, arrived at Rose Hill Gardens to a throng of music and cheers.

At a seated gala event, the pope was at points mobbed by Copts eager to get a selfie with the church leader as he ate his dinner.

The event was attended by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Opposition Leader Luke Foley, while federal Labor MP Chris Bowen received a warm reception after delivering part of his speech in Arabic.

In recent years Coptic Christians have been suffering increasing persecution and violence in Egypt.

Masked gunmen in May opened fire on a group of Copts in Egypt, killing 28 people.

The pope said he believed Egypt would benefit from continued assistance from the Australian government.

"I think this is important to help and support all Egyptians," he said.

However, Pope Tawadros was apprehensive to weigh in on Australia's refugee intake, including Coptic Christians from Egypt.

"I think that the decision of migration from Egypt to any country is an individual, personal decision for the families," the pope told AAP.

He will continue on to Canberra during his tour of Australia, which has included a stop in Melbourne.