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Pope Francis in historic UAE visit

Pope Francis in historic UAE visit

Pope Francis (C-L) is welcomed by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (C-R) upon his arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE capital on February 3, 2019. (AFP)

Pope Francis stands next to Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 4, 2019. (Reuters)

Pope Francis is welcomed by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, right, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019. (AP)

A military band performs as an honour guard marches by during the welcome ceremony for the visiting Pope Francis (unseen) at the UAE presidential palace in the capital Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. (AFP)

ope Francis (R) poses for a picture with Egypt's Azhar Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, as they arrive at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. (AFP)

This handout photo released by the Vatican Media, shows Pope Francis (R) writing on the honor book in the presence of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (L) and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (C) at the presidential palace in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. (AFP)

This picture taken on February 4, 2019 shows a view of the courtyard of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, as Pope Francis arrives to visit. (AFP)

This handout picture released by the Vatican press office on February 4, 2019 shows Pope Francis (C) walking alongside Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (C-L), during his welcome ceremony at the presidential palace in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. (AFP/HO/Vatican Media)

This handout picture released by the Vatican press office on February 4, 2019 shows Pope Francis (C-R) shaking hands with Muhammad Quraish Shihab (C-L), Indonesia's former Minister of Religious Affairs, as he meets with other members of the Abu-Dhabi-based "Muslim Council of Elders" in the UAE capital. (AFP PHOTO / HO / Vatican Media)

Pope Francis (R) is handed his speech during the Founders Memorial event in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. Pope Francis rejected "hatred and violence" in the name of God, on the first visit by the head of the Catholic church to the Muslim-majority Arabian Peninsula. (AFP)

Pope Francis (2nd-L) greets Egypt's Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb (3rd-R) after signing on documents during the Human Fraternity Meeting at the Founders Memorial in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. (AFP)

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (C), Pope Francis, Egypt's Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walk together on February 4, 2019. (Photo credit: Twitter)

Pope Francis shakes hands with Amal Al Qubaisi, the President of the UAE Federal National Council, in the presence of the Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, right, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019. (AP)

Updated 6 June 2023 10:18

February 4, 2019 21:00

Pope Francis received a grand welcome on Monday as he opened his historic visit to the Arabian Peninsula by meeting with Emirati rulers ahead of an address to faith leaders gathered in Abu Dhabi.