UAE

The Latest

Pope Francis became the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula when he landed in Abu Dhabi on Feb 4, 2019.

Pope Francis sends condolences after death of UAE’s Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

May 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope paid tribute to ‘his distinguished and far-sighted leadership in the service of the nation.’ Read more

Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar emeritus of Southern Arabia

Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, retires

May 2, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

He led the Catholic Church on the Arabian peninsula for 17 years. Read more

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin talks to EWTN Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn on March 19, 2022.

Cardinal Parolin urges negotiation to find a ‘win-win solution’ to war in Ukraine

Mar 22, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘The message of the Holy See, of the Holy Father, is to stop the war,’ the Vatican Secretary of State... Read more

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pictured in Abu Dhabi on May 13, 2008.

Vatican foundation honors Abu Dhabi crown prince with ‘Man of Humanity’ award

Jul 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi traveled to the UAE to present the award. Read more

The US president with the Bahraini and Emirati foreign ministers and Israeli PM at the Abraham Accords signing at the White House, Sept. 15, 2020.

Advocacy group hails Israel-Bahrain deal as 'positive step' for Middle East Christians

Sep 16, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

An advocacy group for Christians and other religious minorities living in the Middle East this week praised an agreement between... Read more

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity meets at the Vatican, Sept. 11, 2019.

What is the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity?

May 14, 2020

By Courtney Mares

This week’s interreligious day of prayer is the first major worldwide initiative of a committee created by the United Arab... Read more

Pope Francis is welcomed to the United Arab Emirates by Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the presidential palace, Feb. 4, 2019.

Pope, Abu Dhabi crown prince make joint commitment to improving health of the poor

Nov 18, 2019

In a joint statement signed Monday, Pope Francis and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, committed... Read more

Brother Nicolas Tixier, O.P., speaks at the signing of an agreement between the UAE and UNESCO, Oct. 10, 2019.

United Arab Emirates pledges to help rebuild Catholic churches in Mosul

Oct 22, 2019

The United Arab Emirates is partnering with UNESCO to rebuild two Catholic churches in Mosul that were destroyed in 2014... Read more

Pope Francis at the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Ireland.

Pope calls United Arab Emirates 'a land of coexistence' ahead of visit

Jan 31, 2019

Pope Francis expressed gratitude for his upcoming trip to the United Arab Emirates, noting it is an opportunity to promote... Read more

Bishop Hinder (c), Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, flanked by the newly ordained Capuchin priests Fr. Manuel (L) and Fr. D'Souza (R) in Abu Dhabi, Jan. 8, 2016.

Vocations bloom in the desert: two priests are ordained in United Arab Emirates

Jan 17, 2016

Last week Catholics in Southern Arabia gathered in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the ordination of two Capuchin Franciscan priests by... Read more

(L-R) Cardinal Parolin, Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and Bishop Hinder assist in the ribbon cutting at the inauguration of St. Paul parish in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 11, 2015.

A new church is consecrated in United Arab Emirates amid hope for peace, dialogue

Jun 18, 2015

The inauguration and blessing of a new parish in the capital of the United Arab Emirates last week was met... Read more

St. Joseph's Cathedral, mother Church of the Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Arabia, decorated for its 50th parish anniversary, March 19, 2015. Photo courtesy of St. Joseph's Cathedral Abu Dhabi.

A 'spiritual oasis' – Southern Arabian cathedral celebrates 50 years

Mar 23, 2015

The Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Arabia, which serves the more than 2 million Catholics in the United Arab Emirates, Oman,... Read more

Migrant workers participate in group discussion at the We Abhor Violence Everywhere seminar in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, Nov. 14, 2014.

Church combats domestic violence in Arabian peninsula

Nov 19, 2014

The family ministry office serving expatriate Catholics in the Arabian peninsula held a workshop last week to help end domestic... Read more