Pope Francis Daily

Pope Francis will be using a popemobile to bless the faithful, who will throng the Zayed Sports City for the papal mass in Abu Dhabi on February 5.

An Official in charge of the visit has issued a statement stating:

“We can confirm that the pope will travel in a popemobile and greet the thousands who will wait outside the venue to get a glimpse of the pope,”

The visit to Abu Dhabi will be surrounded by tight security and the official confirmed to the Khaleej Times.

“But the papal motorcade will not take to the streets – instead, the pope will move around in the popemobile within the stadium complex only,” said the official.

According to additional reporting by The Khaleej Times:

The information was confirmed on the website of St Mary’s Church in Dubai.

“Those who are attending the mass outside the stadium can also see the pope as he goes around in an open car, blessing the people outside the stadium,” read a statement on the website.

Pope Francis will begin his state visit to the UAE on February 3. The Pontiff’s itinerary in the UAE includes an official meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; attending an inter-faith conference and meeting members of the Muslim Council of Elders on February 4; and a Holy Mass at the Zayed Sports City on February 5.

More than one million Catholics in the UAE consider attending the papal mass a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and there is high demand for the tickets. But as the Zayed Sports City can only accommodate approximately 120,000 people, various parishes in the UAE have started raffling off their allowed quota of tickets. A strict registration procedure with set deadlines was followed for those interested to attend the mass. A special quota has also been set for people living in non-GCC countries. Several ticket-holders will have to attend the Holy Mass by standing outside the stadium as seats are limited.

In a letter addressing the faithful, Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, has urged people to “avoid every kind of competition and self-promotion”. “We are called to give witness to unity, respect and love and at the same time show humility,” said the bishop.

anjana@khaleejtimes.com