Pope Francis touches down in the UAE - in pictures

The first pontiff to ever set foot in the Arabian Peninsula was welcomed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Sunday evening

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, receives Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi, on February 4, 2019. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed welcomes Pope Francis to the UAE. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed receives Pope Francis. This was the head of the Catholic Church's first visit to the UAE. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed receives Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of the Al Azhar Al Sharif, in Abu Dhabi. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Pope Francis greets Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

In Abu Dhabi, Pope Francis and Dr Al Tayyeb signed a statement known as the Document on Human Fraternity. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed receives Pope Francis and Dr Al Tayyeb. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Pope Francis is welcomed by Sheikh Mohamed. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed receives Pope Francis pass a guard of honour. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Pope Francis is presented with flowers upon his arrival. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State greets Pope Francis. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State for Tolerance greets Pope Francis. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Diab bin Tahnoon greets Pope Francis. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council, greets Pope Francis. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, greets Pope Francis. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE National Security Advisor, greets Pope Francis. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Pope Francis smiles upon his arrival at the Abu Dhabi airport. AP Photo

Men sing and dance during arrival of Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Children dance during the arrival of Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

A traditional Ayala dance is performed during the arrival of Pope Francis. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

A traditional dance is performed upon the arrival of Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb at the Presidential Airport. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Pope Francis and Dr Al Tayyeb bid farewell while departing from the Presidential Airport. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The National

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Updated: February 04, 2019, 7:11 AM