Pope Francis. ARCHIVE

Here's ten things you need to know about Pope Francis' historic visit to the UAE this week.   3-day visit Pope Francis is visiting the UAE from February 3 to 5 with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr. Ahmed At-Tayyeb. Historic visit The Pope’s visit is a historic first, marking the first visit by a pope to the GCC. It also coincides with the Year of Tolerance that is being marked by the UAE in 2019. Theme of peace The Pope’s visit will take place under the theme “Make me a Channel of Your Peace” and it represents the purpose of His Holiness Pope Francis’s visit; an invitation for collaboration between all those who seek peaceful dialogue and cooperation. Tour and more The Pope’s visit will include a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, a holy mass at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and a meeting with the Muslim Council of Elders, which is headed by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on February 4. Royal welcome Pope Francis and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed At-Tayyeb will be received officially, at the presidential palace on February 4 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces. Papal mass The pope will hold a Holy Mass at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. It is anticipated that more than 135,000 people from the UAE and internationally are expected to attend the mass which will take place on February 5, 2019 at 10:30am. Buses for the public More than 2,000 buses will transport the public to Zayed Sports City for the Holy Mass. End of visit The Pope will depart from Abu Dhabi to Rome and will be given an official send off at 12:45pm on February 5, 2019. First Catholic Church in UAE The official diplomatic relations between the UAE and the Vatican started in 2007, but it was in 1965 when the first Catholic Church was built in the UAE, where there are now 76 churches and places of worship. In 1968, the first Christian association was established in the country. Tolerance in the UAE The UAE Government reinforces its commitment to tolerance and religious freedom through giving land for the construction of churches, places of worship and graveyards for other faiths. In June 2017, Abu Dhabi renamed one of its most prominent mosques from “Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Mosque” to “Maryam, Mother of Jesus Mosque”. GAD/Expat Media
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