Pope Francis has accepted the UAE’s invitation to visit the country.
The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope will visit the UAE in February. This will be the first ever visit of the Pope to the Gulf region and leaders of the nation expect this to enhance interfaith dialogue and peace among nations.
The three day visit from 3 to 5 February will also mark a grand moment for Catholics living in the UAE and across the Gulf region.
Earlier this year in June, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the Catholic church in the UAE, extended the invitation to the Pope to visit the country with the message to enhance interfaith relations.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said, “We welcome the news of Pope Francis' visit to the United Arab Emirates next February - a visit that will strengthen our ties and understanding of each other, enhance interfaith dialogue and help us to work together to maintain and build peace among the nations of the world.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces said,”He is a symbol of peace, tolerance and the promotion of brotherhood. We look forward to a historic visit, through which we will seek dialogue on the peaceful coexistence among peoples.”