• Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, presents a gift to Pope Francis during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, presents a gift to Pope Francis during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Pope Francis presents a gift to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Pope Francis presents a gift to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • A gift of the title-deed to the first church in the UAE was presented to Pope Francis from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    A gift of the title-deed to the first church in the UAE was presented to Pope Francis from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, left, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meet with Pope Francis during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, left, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meet with Pope Francis during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Pope Francis signs a guest book during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Pope Francis signs a guest book during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Pope Francis is welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. AFP / Giuseppe Cacace
    Pope Francis is welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. AFP / Giuseppe Cacace
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Pope Francis and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid stand for a national anthem during a reception at the Presidential Palace. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Pope Francis and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid stand for a national anthem during a reception at the Presidential Palace. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • An honour guard salutes the pontiff in the courtyard of the palace. Reuters
    An honour guard salutes the pontiff in the courtyard of the palace. Reuters
  • Pope Francis, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the welcoming ceremony. Reuters
    Pope Francis, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the welcoming ceremony. Reuters
  • Pope Francis, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, meets other members of the UAE leadership. Reuters
    Pope Francis, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, meets other members of the UAE leadership. Reuters
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid at the reception for Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid at the reception for Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Stunt jets perform a stunning display over the Presidential Palace. AFP
    Stunt jets perform a stunning display over the Presidential Palace. AFP
  • Members of the Vatican delegation stand for a national anthem. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Members of the Vatican delegation stand for a national anthem. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • From right: Major General Essa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces; Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Economic Development, and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Health Department and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Hamad Mohamed Al Hurr Al Suwaidi; Mubarak Rashid Al Mansouri, Governor of the UAE Central Bank; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and Managing Director Mubadala, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, stand for a national anthem. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    From right: Major General Essa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces; Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Economic Development, and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Health Department and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Hamad Mohamed Al Hurr Al Suwaidi; Mubarak Rashid Al Mansouri, Governor of the UAE Central Bank; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and Managing Director Mubadala, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, stand for a national anthem. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Pope Francis walks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Reuters
    Pope Francis walks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Reuters
  • The pontiff arrives in a Kia Soul - he is commonly seen in modest, inexpensive transports. Reuters
    The pontiff arrives in a Kia Soul - he is commonly seen in modest, inexpensive transports. Reuters
  • Jets spray the skies in the Vatican colours of yellow and white over the Corniche. Reuters
    Jets spray the skies in the Vatican colours of yellow and white over the Corniche. Reuters
  • Members of the honour guard band perform at the arrival ceremony. Reuters
    Members of the honour guard band perform at the arrival ceremony. Reuters
  • The Presidential Palace is one of the largest buildings in the city. AFP
    The Presidential Palace is one of the largest buildings in the city. AFP
  • An Emirati honour guard outside the Presidential Palace in the capital Abu Dhabi. AFP
    An Emirati honour guard outside the Presidential Palace in the capital Abu Dhabi. AFP
  • The flags of the Vatican and the UAE are displayed inside the palace. AFP
    The flags of the Vatican and the UAE are displayed inside the palace. AFP
  • Members of the UAE Armed participate during a reception for Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Members of the UAE Armed participate during a reception for Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Pope Francis attends the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi - in pictures

A ceremony took place before the pontiff held discussions with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

The National

February 04, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

Pope Francis began his first full day in the UAE with a visit to the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

After an initial ceremony in the grounds, he held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

They discussed enhancing co-operation, consolidating dialogue, tolerance, human coexistence and important initiatives to achieve peace, stability and development.

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UAE