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Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi meets Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi. Photo: @AlOraibi / X

The lasting legacy of Pope Francis in the Middle East

Pope Francis arrives at Zayed Sport City Stadium for Mass in 2019. EPA

Day Pope Francis won hearts and minds during outdoor Mass in Abu Dhabi

Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid flanked by Pope Francis and President Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Egyptian aide who served as Pope Francis's 'Arabic voice' pays homage

Pope Francis served as pontiff for 12 years. He has died at the age of 88. EPA

EditorialPope Francis connected with the Middle East

Pope Francis meets with Palestinians whose relatives were stranded in Gaza at the Vatican in November 2023. Photo: Vatican Media / Reuters

Pope Francis was unwavering in calls for Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Getty Images

Iraq says it 'will never forget' Pope Francis's visit

Pope Francis greets the public during his historic Mass at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on February 5, 2019. Getty Images

UAE President pays tribute after death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis at Hosh Al-Bieaa Church Square in Mosul in 2021. He prayed among the rubble of the city devastated by ISIS. AP

Pope Francis's journeys of hope to Middle East created lasting mark

Who will succeed Pope Francis? Death marks start of centuries-old ritual

From top, left to right, the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis: Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of France; Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary; Cardinal Mario Grech of Malta; Cardinal Juan Jose Omella of Spain; Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy; Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines; Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi of Italy

Who will succeed Pope Francis? Death marks start of centuries-old ritual

Latest: Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure
World leaders send condolences after Pope's death
Obituary: Modernising leader who sought to bring the Catholic church closer to its followers

Catholics say they cherish Pope Francis's message to build bridges between communities. EPA

Gulf Christians pay tribute to late Pope Francis

Catholic communities in the Middle East feel fortunate to have witnessed first-hand the pontiff outlining his vision of love, peace and dialogue

Egypt and Saudi foreign ministers discuss strengthening ties

Al Shara responds to anger over brother's links to pro-Assad tribal figure

The business school campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reuters

Harvard University sues Trump administration over funding freeze

Israel kills Hezbollah commander behind weapons smuggling

Adnoc signs UAE's largest LNG supply agreement with China

Esha Elghorour

Libya’s first female coach Rasha Elghorour dreams of women’s football return

Video

Pope's nightly calls to Gaza church kept hope alive

Pope Francis made this call every evening to Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza City. The video has been widely reshared in the hours since his death

More videos

Pope Francis: His key moments in the Middle East

Pope Francis: His key moments in the Middle East

UAE residents visit Dubai church to pay tributes to Pope Francis

UAE residents visit Dubai church to pay tributes to Pope Francis

Iraq 'will never forget' Pope Francis's landmark visit

Iraq 'will never forget' Pope Francis's landmark visit

Donald Trump orders flags lowered in honour of Pope Francis

Donald Trump orders flags lowered in honour of Pope Francis

An image of Pope Francis is placed in the Chapel of Saint Lucia in Barcelona's cathedral. The Pope died on April 21, aged 88, a day after making an appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said. AFP

TrendingPope Francis dies and US strikes on Yemen intensify

A Ramadan parade on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City. AFP

CommentThe profiling of Arabs in America did not start with Trump

Iraqi Kurds have offered help to their cousins in Syria and welcomed the move by Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party to embark on a peace process. AFP

The future of the Kurds: from dreams of independence to settling for peace

Farida Osman was delighted to hear that her preferred 50m fly event will be included at the LA Olympics. Getty Images

Egyptian swimmers handed Olympics boost after 50m butterfly included for LA 2028

The opening day of AI Week in a the Museum of The Future, in Dubai, on April 21. Antonie Robertson / The National

CommentWe urgently need AI that thinks in Arabic

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi waits to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron in Cairo on April 7. Reuters

Egypt and Israel near point of open hostility but not outright conflict

Data centres consume 1.5 per cent of global electricity. The International Energy Agency thinks the worldwide electricity consumption of data centres will more than double by 2030, because of the rising use of AI. AFP

Business InsightsWhy the Gulf should not worry about higher oil and gas exports in Trump era

Italian police officers outside the entrance of the Omani embassy, in Rome, which hosted the Iranian delegation for talks. AFP

CommentAs Trump nears 100 days in office, a breakthrough with Iran is paramount

Headlines

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's online appearance at a Washington nuclear policy conference was cancelled, with organisers saying last-minute format changes from Iran were the main reason. EPA

Carnegie nuclear conference cancels appearance by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Organisers say decision due to last-minute format changes from Iran

Sheikh Abdullah meets Pakistani Prime Minister in Islamabad

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on the south lawn of the White House during the White House Easter Egg Roll. AP

Trump stands by Hegseth after report of second Signal chat

US air strikes on Sanaa kill at least 12, Yemen's Houthis say

The influencer academy project is designed to develop creative and commercial skills. Photo: Beautiful Destinations

Dubai launches academy for travel influencers

Israel revokes visas for French MPs as ties sour

Iran hails US talks and hopes for investment to revitalise economy

Fire breaks out near Abu Dhabi's Al Raha Mall

Israel admits military's 'failures' led to killing of Gaza medics

In focus

View of Harrow International School Dubai. Photo: Taaleem

Harrow's UAE schools to charge up to Dh100,000 for primary years

Bouquiniste El Azizi is a one man cultural landmark in the heart of Rabat. Getty Images

Eight spots in Rabat for book lovers to visit, from bookshops to libraries

Metallica will play their third concert in the UAE in December. AP

Metallica to perform at 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Rishabh Pant is now the highest-paid Indian cricketer. AFP

Top salaries of Indian cricketers in 2025 after latest central contracts

In the UAE, YouTube reached more than 7.5 million people aged 18 and above in May 2024. Souvik Banerjee / Unsplash

How YouTube became a home for culture and community

Nadiya Albishchenko says her short-term goal is to scale her food trading business and investment assets. Antonie Robertson / The National

My Dubai Salary: ‘I earn about Dh35,000 a month running a food trading company’

Riyadh Air's newly unveiled business-elite seats will be installed on its Boeing 787 ahead of the start-up's first flights in 2025. Photo: Riyadh Air

'Audrey Hepburn of the sky': Inside Riyadh Air's new cabins

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim, right, after defeat against Wolves. AFP

Only Europe can save Manchester United from domestic turmoil

Business

Culture

President Donald Trump is increasing his attacks on Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. AFP

Trump renews attacks on Powell as US markets decline further

WEF begins search for new chairman after founder Schwab steps down

Microsoft makes progress, but Edge browser's critical vulnerabilities rise

Culture

New documentary chronicles the rise of Jordan's hip-hop scene

Music & On-stage

Review: Usher turns back the clock at Abu Dhabi's Club Social

Music & On-stage

Bouquiniste El Azizi is a one man cultural landmark in the heart of Rabat. Getty Images

Eight spots in Rabat for book lovers to visit, from bookshops to libraries

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines

Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world

Culture Bites

Culture Bites

Your guide to the arts and culture scene in the UAE

Business Extra

Business Extra

The stories, companies, trends, tech, Innovation and leaders shaping your world

Trending Middle East

Trending Middle East

The top news stories, field reports and insights from the Middle East and beyond

Pictures of the Day

People gather at a popular market, which Houthi leaders said was hit by US air strikes, in Sanaa, Yemen. AP

A student moves around a taxidermied giraffe set up by the Wildlife Forensic Academy, which aims to fight poaching by teaching investigation skills to rangers, near Cape Town, South Africa. AFP

Palestinian children receive donated food at a distribution centre in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. AP

A nun holds an image of Pope Francis near St Peter's Square in Vatican City, after the death of the Catholic leader was announced. Reuters

Catholic nuns carry portraits of the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks during a sixth anniversary commemoration in Colombo, Sri Lanka. AP

Australian sprinter Gout Gout addresses the media after the 2025 Stawell Gift semi-final at Central Park in Stawell, Victoria, Australia. Getty Images

A Buddhist monk and novices meditate in a room with appliances powered by renewable energy at a temple in Ayutthaya province, Thailand. EPA

Performers stand next to a poster in New Delhi, welcoming US Vice President JD Vance to India. Reuters

People gather at a popular market, which Houthi leaders said was hit by US air strikes, in Sanaa, Yemen. AP

A student moves around a taxidermied giraffe set up by the Wildlife Forensic Academy, which aims to fight poaching by teaching investigation skills to rangers, near Cape Town, South Africa. AFP

Palestinian children receive donated food at a distribution centre in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. AP

A nun holds an image of Pope Francis near St Peter's Square in Vatican City, after the death of the Catholic leader was announced. Reuters

Catholic nuns carry portraits of the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks during a sixth anniversary commemoration in Colombo, Sri Lanka. AP

Australian sprinter Gout Gout addresses the media after the 2025 Stawell Gift semi-final at Central Park in Stawell, Victoria, Australia. Getty Images

A Buddhist monk and novices meditate in a room with appliances powered by renewable energy at a temple in Ayutthaya province, Thailand. EPA

Performers stand next to a poster in New Delhi, welcoming US Vice President JD Vance to India. Reuters

People gather at a popular market, which Houthi leaders said was hit by US air strikes, in Sanaa, Yemen. AP

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