In photos: When Pope Francis visited UAE in 2019, he came as 'a brother'

Pope Francis and the UAE had an enduring, cordial, and fruitful relationship that spanned almost a decade.

It was a moment of joy and celebration, as well as veneration and contemplation, when Pope Francis officiated the first papal mass in the Arabian Peninsula on February 5, 2019. Chants of ‘Viva El Papa!’ reverberated inside and outside Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi that day – a testament to how people loved the spiritual leader of the more than 1 billion Catholics around the world.

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Authorities estimated more than 180,000 people of all ages and different nationalities from across the UAE and neighbouring countries attended the mass. Throngs of people went out on the streets to catch a glimpse of the pope as he travelled on his Popemobile (a specially-designed vehicle flown in from the Vatican to the UAE for the pontiff's historic three-day visit.)

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The stadium, with an estimated 40,000-seating capacity, was filled to the rafters and everything was orderly, made possible by the thousands of volunteers. Outside the stadium were more than100,000 people who observed the Mass on giant screens – and they were as prayerful and jubilant as those inside. The figures did not include people who went to their local parishes to hear the mass streamed live.

The papal Mass was not only for the Christians. It was also a showcase of peace and tolerance. As Catholic faithful heard the mass, Muslim expats served as volunteers. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Tolerance and Coexistence, was among the crowd.

Filipino priest Fr Chito Bartolo, who was then assigned at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oud Metha, told Khaleej Times: “It was inspiring to witness the leaders of the Catholic Church and the UAE government talking about tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and stability in the world. Personally, I would like to express my gratitude to the UAE leaders for allowing us (Christians) to freely express and practise our faith here in the UAE.”

When Sheikh Mohamed met Pope Francis in Vatican

Three years prior to Pope Francis’s historic mass in Abu Dhabi, President Sheikh Mohamed, who was then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met Pope Francis on September 15, 2016 in Vatican.

The meeting was more than strengthening bilateral relations but also to promote the shared humanitarian values of peace, security, stability, and tolerance.

Sheikh Mohamed presented Pope Francis with a photo book showcasing archaeological discoveries on Sir Bani Yas Island showing information on different archaeological discoveries on the island, including the landmark church and historic monastery dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD. This exchange underscored the deep-rooted spirit of religious tolerance and coexistence in the region.

Pope Francis, for his part, “praised the UAE's efforts in promoting coexistence between different cultures". The Catholic Pontiff also commended the country's humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and sustainable development.

Sheikh Mohamed also presented the Pope with the Carpet of Peace, produced through an initiative launched by Sheikha Fatima bint Mohamed bin Zayed which aims to support women in rural areas of Afghanistan.

“We are working together promoting and enabling peace and stability to prevail throughout the world,” Sheikh Mohamed was quoted saying, adding: “The UAE appreciates the efforts being made by the Pope to combat intolerance and promote dialogue.”

“The visit by Sheikh Mohamed to Vatican opened the channel for culture and civilisation exchange that is important for humanity,” Dr Ahmed Al Haddad, Dubai grand mufti of Dubai, earlier told Khaleej Times.

Apostolic journey to the Arabian Peninsula

Pope Francis reciprocated with a historic visit to UAE in February 2019. It was the first apostolic journey to the Arabian Peninsula by the leader of the Catholic Church. During this trip, Pope Francis signed the landmark 'Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together' with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on February 4, 2019.

Before the visit, the late pope said: "I am visiting that country as a brother, in order to write a page of dialogue together, and to travel paths of peace together. Pray for me!"

Pope Francis was supposed to return to the UAE in December 2023 to address the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference or COP28 that was held in Dubai but his doctors advised him to cancel his trip as he was recovering then from flu and lung inflammation.

Pope Francis, whose birth name is Jorge Bergoglio, had part of his right lung cut away when he was 21, after developing pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of lungs) that almost killed him. The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church was initially brought to the hospital for bronchitis on February 14 this year that later developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He passed away on April 21, a day after Easter. He was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and served as pope for 12 years.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed wrote a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, saying the pontiff "dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace."

Angel Tesorero

angel@khaleejtimes.com

Angel Tesorero is Assistant Editor and designated funny guy in the newsroom, but dead serious about writing on transport, labour migration, and environmental issues. He is a food lover too.