His Holiness Pope Francis arrived in the UAE around 9:50 pm at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport, where he was greeted and welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE, together with the UAE’s cabinet ministers.
Pope Francis was also welcomed by young Emirati children who greeted him in native Spanish. The Pontiff also greeted His Eminence Dr Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif.
Today, Pope Francis will be attending an official Welcome Ceremony at the Presidential Palace, followed by an official visit to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at the same venue at noon.
In the afternoon to early evening, the Pope will also have a private meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and will have an Inter-religious Meeting at the Founder’s Memorial.
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:
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
Watch the video here:
Photos from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s official Twitter Account. Video from WAM.
