St. Mary's Church in Dubai to Host Memorial for Pope Francis
The UAE joins global tributes with back-to-back memorial services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to remember the late pontiff.
- Publish date: Wednesday، 23 April 2025
Dubai residents are invited to a special memorial mass for Pope Francis at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha on Saturday, April 26, the parish announced this week.
Read More: UAE Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis
The service, which will begin at 7:30 PM, will be led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap., Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. Following the mass, a tribute programme will take place at Bp. Gremoli Hall within the church grounds.
“With deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of our beloved Shepherd. May eternal light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace,” read the official announcement from St. Mary’s Church—considered the world’s largest Catholic parish with over 300,000 members.
Meanwhile, a separate memorial mass in Abu Dhabi will be held on Thursday at the Church of St. Francis in the Abrahamic Family House. That service begins at 7 PM and will be officiated by Archbishop Christophe El-Kassis, Apostolic Nuncio to the UAE, and Bishop Martinelli.
A book of condolences is currently open to the public at the Apostolic Nunciature—the Vatican’s embassy—in Abu Dhabi.
On Wednesday, the Pope’s body was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City where mourners are paying their final respects. His funeral will take place Saturday at 12 noon UAE time, according to Vatican officials.
In a recent homily, Bishop Martinelli reflected on the Pope’s enduring legacy:
“Pope Francis was particularly significant for us — for his closeness to all migrants. He fought for the promotion of their rights. We, who are a Church of migrants, have felt his closeness and his love for us. His visit to Abu Dhabi in February 2019 is unforgettable for us.”
From the UAE to the Vatican, tributes are pouring in for a Pope who championed compassion, inclusion, and unity—especially for migrant communities around the world.
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