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Photo: (From L-R) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, stand for a national anthem during a reception at the Presidential Palace.

On February 5, more than 180,000 UAE residents and visitors – a big majority of which are Filipinos – witnessed the historic Pope visit in the country while millions around the world watched through television, live streams and social media.

The Head of the Catholic Church His Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE was a significant occasion for both the Arabian Gulf and the Vatican as it was the first time that a leader of the Roman Catholic Church visited an Arab nation. The visit took place exactly 800 years following the encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malek Al Kamel in 1219.

Tens of thousands of Filipinos and expats manifested their abundance of faith as they braved the sea of the 180,000 Catholic faithful who came to witness the historic Papal Mass on February 5 at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Filipinos coming from all walks of life, spanning different generations with some flying from the Philippines, grabbed the rare opportunity to gave a glimpse of the Pope and celebrate a high mass outside Vatican City.

With an estimate of nearly a million Catholics in the UAE, an allotment of 135,000 tickets seemed tight. Nevertheless, devotees and even people of various faiths and religions exhibited the spirit of as they attended the mass.

Early Preparations

The moment that the visit of the Pope was announced, 61-year-old Lydia Velasco made it a point to seek the help of her family to bring her to the UAE from the Philippines. “Dinala ako ng anak ko dito para makita si Pope, ang dalangin ko lamang ay para sa kalusugan ng aking pamilya, lalong lalo na sa aking apo,”

Come the day of the Papal Mass, Velasco’s family was also one of the first to be able to book their seats to head to the mass.

Pope Francis waves goodbye to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed as he departs the UAE and heads back to Vatican City 1

Many Filipinos had also camped out the night before at hotels and locations near access hubs scattered across the UAE. Ecstatic to meet the Pope, they made sure they get to the venue early, as the first batch of buses left as early as 10:00 pm in the evening of February 4 bound for the venue.

The mass also featured the Filipino’s world-class talent for singing as the Papal Choir, composed of 120 members were comprised mostly of Filipinos. The conductress was also a Filipina, Joy Santos who spearheaded the multi-cultural voices that sang hymns in English, Arabic, and Latin. “I see to it na whatever it is on the lyrics, I want them to feel and sing it from their hearts,” said Santos. Their hours and weeks of hard work and practice paid off as the choir’s rendition of the hymns conveyed powerful emotions that reverberated throughout the venue.

A blessing for migrant workers

The Pope also addressed OFWs and migrant workers that helped shape the UAE. “It is most certainly not easy for you to live far from home, missing the affection of your loved ones, and perhaps also feeling uncertainty about the future. But in those moments, where He might not intervene immediately, He walks at our side. And if we continue to go forward, He will open up a new way for us,” assured the Holy See, who shared inspiring messages for expats in the country.

Pope Francis blesses a baby at St. Josephs Cathedral 1

During the Homily, one of the prayers, spoken in Tagalog, caters for all the migrant workers in the UAE. “Isinasamo po namin na inyong pagpalain ang aming mga pagsisikap at pagsasakripisyo upang magbunga ng kabutihan at kaunlaran para sa aming mga pamilya,” said the prayer.

A beacon of humility and harmony

Pope Francis hopes that with the recent signing of ‘The Document on Human Fraternity’ will promote unity and harmony that supersedes any religious affiliation. “The Document on Human Fraternity, which I signed today in Abu Dhabi with my brother His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al Tayyeb, invites all persons who have faith in God and faith in human fraternity to unite and work together,” said Pope Francis.

The invitation to visit UAE

The ‘Year of Tolerance’ in the UAE begins with a high note with the inaugural visit of His Holiness.

The Pope was welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, together with the UAE Cabinet members. His Eminence Dr Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, was also invited by the UAE for the global meeting of the leaders of world’s two biggest religions as part of the “International Interfaith Meeting on Human Fraternity”.

Pope Francis celebrated the Papal Mass in front of 180000 attendees 1

“Their visit was a landmark in the development of human relations and dialogue between different cultures. We are all partners in promoting tolerance, love, and harmony among the people of the world,” said H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

The Pontiff was welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed the following day at the Presidential Palace.

The UAE has once again proved that it is a cradle of tolerance and humanitarianism, and the momentous event has attested to the welcoming arms of the leadership of this nation.

Neil Bie

Neil Bie is the Assistant Editor for The Filipino Times, responsible for gathering news that will resonate among OFW readers in the UAE, Philippines, and around 200 countries, where the platform reaches both Filipinos and worldwide audiences. ||| Get in touch with Neil at: Facebook: Neil Bie ||| Email: [email protected]||| or by sending a message to the Facebook page of The Filipino Times at: https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoTimes/

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