Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attends the funeral rites of Pope Francis in Rome on April 26, 2025. WAM

On behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the funeral rites of Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday (April 26). Sheikh Khaled was joined by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Crown Prince’s Office; and Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The funeral procession began at Saint Peter's Square and culminated with the burial at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, in the presence of heads of state, world leaders, and dignitaries from around the world. Sheikh Khaled conveyed the UAE President’s condolences to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals at the Vatican. He expressed heartfelt sympathies to the College of Cardinals, the Holy See, and the global Catholic community on the passing of Pope Francis. Describing Pope Francis as “a symbol of human fraternity, cultural coexistence, and interfaith dialogue,” Sheikh Khaled said the late pontiff’s humanitarian legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Pope Francis' historic 2019 visit to the UAE marked a milestone for interfaith dialogue, culminating in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb. This landmark declaration for peace and coexistence was later recognized by the United Nations, which designated February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. ICA/Expat Media
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