Katolikong Pinoy sa Abu Dhabi (KPAD), St. Joseph’s Cathedral’s dedicated support group for Filipino Catholics under its parish posted on their official Facebook page that tickets have yet to be released for parishoners in Abu Dhabi, following eyewitness accounts that the ticket release has begun.
The group clarifies that the only tickets available for release at the moment at the parish are the faithful who have flown internationally from non GCC states to Abu Dhabi to get their tickets.
“Ang parish po natin ay magbibigay ng information ng distribution ng tiket through email, so please be patient sa pag hihintay. Malapit na po,” said the group on its Facebook post.
Meanwhile in Dubai, tickets have already been released with thousands of Filipinos and other expats who registered forming long lines to get their tickets. Volunteers at St. Mary’s Parish have politely asked parishoners to remain calm as the parish releases the tickets for Pope Francis’ historic visit.
Once available, schedule of ticket release is as follows:
• Weekdays: 6pm to 10pm
• Friday (Last day) 8am to 10pm
The Papal Visit marks 1st visit of a Pope to the MENA region. Themed ‘Make Me a Channel of Your Peace’, the visit is a positive response of the pontiff and the Vatican to the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE.
In line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance’ the visit is part of the celebrations of the ‘International Interfaith Meeting on Human Fraternity’.
Pope Francis’ full itinerary in the UAE:
Sunday, February 3
1:00 PM – Departure by plane from Rome/Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10:00 PM – Arrival at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Official Welcome
Monday, February 4
12:00 PM – Welcome Ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi
12:20 PM – Official Visit to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in the Presidential Palace
5:00 PM – Private meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders at Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6:10 PM – Inter-religious Meeting at the Founder’s Memorial
Discourse of the Holy Father
Tuesday, February 5
9:15 AM – Visit in private to the Cathedral
10:30 AM – Santa Messa in Zayed Sports City — Homily of the Holy Father
12:40 PM – Farewell Ceremony at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1:00 PM – Departure by plane to Rome
5:00 PM – Arrival at the Rome/Ciampino International Airport
