UAE Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis
UAE President and Dubai Ruler mourn the passing of Pope Francis, highlighting his legacy of tolerance and interfaith dialogue
Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Leaders in the UAE have expressed their condolences and praised his efforts in promoting peace, tolerance, and interfaith unity.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan remembered Pope Francis as a global figure of compassion and solidarity. In a statement, he said the Pope worked closely with the UAE for many years to spread values of love, peace, and understanding. He also noted the Pope’s strong stance against war.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex , a great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives. His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world . pic.twitter.com/5LwoJq2Hxr
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 21, 2025
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid calls Pope a leader of peace
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also shared a tribute on social media. He expressed deep sadness at the Pope’s passing and called him “a great leader” known for his compassion and commitment to peace. Sheikh Mohammed said the Pope’s humble legacy and message of religious unity will continue to inspire communities worldwide.
Historic visit to the UAE marked a turning point for interfaith dialogue
In 2019, Pope Francis became the first head of the Catholic Church to visit the Arabian Peninsula. His visit marked a major moment for religious dialogue in the region. He led a public mass attended by over 120,000 people at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, making headlines globally.
During his three-day visit, he also met privately with members of the Muslim Council of Elders and attended an interfaith conference with more than 700 participants from around the world. The trip also saw the signing of a landmark document on human fraternity with Dr. Ahmad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar.
A legacy that lives on
The Pope’s efforts left a lasting impact not only on the Catholic Church but also on global religious cooperation. His message of coexistence and mutual respect continues to influence interfaith dialogue today, especially in multicultural regions like the UAE.