United Arab Emirates

The Latest

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Cardinal Parolin will represent Pope Francis at climate conference

Dec 1, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The pope was advised by his doctors earlier this week not to travel to Dubai due to a bronchial infection. Read more

Pope Francis presides over his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 18, 2023.

Update: Pope Francis to attend COP28 climate change conference in Dubai in December

Nov 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said in a TV interview he will travel to the United Arab Emirates for the second time from... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 28, 2023.

Pope Francis condemns Quran burning in interview with UAE newspaper

Jul 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The United Arab Emirates newspaper said it was Pope Francis’ first interview granted to an Arabic news outlet. Read more

Young people from around the world held hands in St. Peter's Square during the #NotAlone human fraternity event June 10, 2023.

UN Security Council discusses Pope Francis and imam’s human fraternity proposal

Jun 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The secretary-general told the council June 14 to look to the human fraternity declaration signed by the pope and grand... Read more

A church, a synagogue and a mosque make up the new interfaith Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi.

Catholic leaders open new church in UAE’s interfaith Abrahamic Family House

Feb 21, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

A synagogue, church, and mosque sit opposite a secular visitor pavilion in an interfaith complex meant to encourage goodwill and... Read more

CNA

The Worldwide Women’s Rosary is coming to the United Arab Emirates

Nov 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

Women from all over the world will join together Dec. 8 for the public recitation of a rosary to Our... Read more

Pope Francis became the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula when he landed in Abu Dhabi on Feb 4, 2019.

Pope Francis sends condolences after death of UAE’s Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

May 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope paid tribute to ‘his distinguished and far-sighted leadership in the service of the nation.’ Read more

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra inaugurated an apostolic nunciature in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Feb. 4, 2022.

Vatican opens its first embassy in Abu Dhabi

Feb 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra inaugurated the new diplomatic post. Read more

An original manuscript from the Vatican Apostolic Library.

A 1,200-year-old Vatican Library manuscript is on display at Dubai Expo

Oct 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Dubai Expo is the first world’s fair to be held in the Middle East Read more

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pictured in Abu Dhabi on May 13, 2008.

Vatican foundation honors Abu Dhabi crown prince with ‘Man of Humanity’ award

Jul 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi traveled to the UAE to present the award. Read more

The US president with the Bahraini and Emirati foreign ministers and Israeli PM at the Abraham Accords signing at the White House, Sept. 15, 2020.

Advocacy group hails Israel-Bahrain deal as 'positive step' for Middle East Christians

Sep 16, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

An advocacy group for Christians and other religious minorities living in the Middle East this week praised an agreement between... Read more

Archimandrite Abdullah Yulio of the Melkite Catholic Church demonstrates against the UAE's deal with Israel, in Turmus Aya in the West Bank, Aug. 19, 2020.

US bishops urge direct negotiation between Palestine, Israel after UAE deal

Aug 21, 2020

The chair of the US bishops' international justice and peace committee on Thursday called gratifying Israel's decision to suspend the... Read more

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity meets at the Vatican, Sept. 11, 2019.

What is the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity?

May 14, 2020

By Courtney Mares

This week’s interreligious day of prayer is the first major worldwide initiative of a committee created by the United Arab... Read more

Pope Francis is welcomed to the United Arab Emirates by Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the presidential palace, Feb. 4, 2019.

Pope, Abu Dhabi crown prince make joint commitment to improving health of the poor

Nov 18, 2019

In a joint statement signed Monday, Pope Francis and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, committed... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on April 18, 2018.

Pope Francis lends support to committee on Abu Dhabi declaration

Aug 26, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has given his encouragement to a committee created by the United Arab Emirates for the promotion of his... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience Feb. 6, 2019.

Pope says UAE trip was 'new page' in dialogue between Christians, Muslims

Feb 6, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said Wednesday that his recent trip to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was a step forward... Read more

Pope Francis blesses a child at the Feb. 5, 2019 Mass in Abu Dhabi.

Seek Christ and his humble love, Pope Francis exhorts Catholics in UAE

Feb 5, 2019

Preaching on the Beatitudes during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, Pope Francis called on those present... Read more

Evangelizing Arabia: Parish life in Abu Dhabi

Feb 4, 2019

By Courtney Mares

On Tuesday, Pope Francis will visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi -- one of two total Catholic churches for... Read more

Pope Francis embraces Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, in Cairo, April 28, 2017.

Popes in the Middle East: Highlights of papal outreach in the region

Feb 2, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is set to celebrate the first papal Mass on the Arabian peninsula next week during his Feb. 3-5... Read more

Jan Figel, EU special envoy for religious freedom. Courtesy photo.

Papal visit to UAE is a ‘breakthrough,’ says EU envoy

Feb 1, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Jan Figel, the EU special envoy for the promotion of religious freedom, spoke to CNA and said that Pope Francis’... Read more