Dubai priest gets perfect birthday gift: Meeting the Pope

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Dubai priest gets perfect birthday gift: Meeting the Pope

Dubai - Fr Michael is one of just 15 priests who have been selected to personally meet with the pope at the Presidential Palace.

By Kelly Clarke

Published: Mon 4 Feb 2019, 8:12 PM

Last updated: Tue 5 Feb 2019, 10:14 AM

As 135,000 UAE residents and visitors turn out to see the historic papal mass at the Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi today, Fr Michael Cardoz will mark an extra special occasion. He will be coming face-to-face with Pope Francis on his birthday.
As assistant parish priest at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai, Fr Michael is one of just 15 priests who have been selected to personally meet with the pope at the Presidential Palace.
"It is going to be a very exciting moment for me. And the fact that it happens to fall on my birthday, that is just a happy coincidence," he told Khaleej Times.
About one week ago, Bishop Paul Hinder reached out to Fr Michael and told him the unexpected news that he would be meeting with the pope.
"I've been in the UAE for 30 years as a priest. I first served in Dubai in 1987, then in Fujairah in 1992 for 16 years, and now in Dubai again. Because of my long-running service, the bishop has given me this tremendous privilege," he said.
With many of the 135,000 Catholic parishioners marking today as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, 150 priests from around the country will also have a hand in the mass. But in all of Fr Michael's years of service, he never thought this day would come. "I never knew I would meet him in person, never. I was in Rome last year at the Vatican celebrating the golden jubilee, but I only saw His Holiness from a distance. Even that was an experience, so I can only imagine what Tuesday will bring."
Along with 14 other priests from the Catholic community in the UAE, Fr Michael said he would greet Pope Francis at about 8am, before the main prayer service at the papal mass.
"I'm sure it will be a very brief meeting, half a minute or so, but it will be the best half a minute of my life. I will ask for his blessing and assure him of my prayers, too," he said.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com