Tens of Thousands Fill Stadium for First Papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula, According to Reuters

By Philip Pullella and Stanley Carvalho

ABU DHABI – An extraordinary public Mass was celebrated by Pope Francis on Tuesday, marking the first visit of a pope to the Arabian Peninsula. The event attracted tens of thousands of Catholics and several thousand Muslims.

Over 120,000 individuals gathered at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as the pope came to the region to advocate for interfaith dialogue. The UAE is home to approximately half of the two million expatriate Catholics residing in the peninsula, which is near the birthplace of Islam in Saudi Arabia, and includes large communities from the Philippines and India.

During his address, the pope acknowledged the challenges faced by expatriates living far from home and the emotional toll of being away from loved ones. He encouraged attendees to find inspiration from Saint Anthony the Abbot, the founder of monasticism in the desert, emphasizing that “The Lord specializes in doing new things; he can even open paths in the desert.” This visit followed his meetings with the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar mosque and UAE leaders.

The pope made his entrance in a white open-top jeep, greeted by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Many attendees wore white baseball caps displaying the event’s logo, capturing moments on their smartphones. Thousands of supporters waved Vatican flags near the stadium entrance, all with the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Abu Dhabi’s skyline in the background.

For attendees like Thomas Tijo, a 44-year-old from Kerala, India, the event held deep personal significance. He described it as a comforting experience while holding his three-year-old son, Marcus. Organizers estimated that Catholics from around 100 nations attended the Mass, alongside approximately 4,000 Muslims, including government officials.

Pope Francis, who accepted an invitation from Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, utilized this opportunity to denounce ongoing conflicts, including the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where the UAE is involved in a military coalition. He also called for enhanced cooperation and understanding between Christians and Muslims.

During the Mass, conducted in both Italian and English, the congregation prayed for migrant workers and the peace of war-affected areas. The gathering concluded with a fervent prayer, applause, and uplifting organ music.

Rio Chavez, a 40-year-old security officer from the Philippines, expressed his emotional connection to the pope’s message about the struggles of being away from family. Feeling inspired, he stated, “I feel renewed, positive … I have the pope’s blessings now.”

The Mass, a central aspect of the Christian faith, commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his apostles. Catholics believe that through the consecration by a priest, the communion host and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ, making participation in a papal Mass particularly special.

Priests and diplomats note that the UAE is one of the most accommodating Gulf nations regarding Christian worship, permitting it within licensed church compounds. With over 40 churches, nine designated for Catholics, worship is generally embraced, although unsanctioned gatherings are prohibited, and proselytizing is not allowed for non-Muslims.

Clitus Almeida, an Indian engineer in Dubai, expressed hope that this historic visit would promote peace in a region affected by conflict. He underscored the need for more churches in the UAE and voiced hope that Saudi Arabia would permit their establishment as well.

Though no official statement has emerged from Riyadh regarding the pope’s visit, he has garnered attention in local media, with highlights of his meetings with significant religious and political leaders in the UAE. An opinion piece in a prominent daily emphasized the pope’s message of tolerance and coexistence, framing it as a counter to the narrative of extremism prevalent in the region.