United Arab Emirates

The Latest

A church, a synagogue and a mosque make up the new interfaith Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi.

Catholic leaders open new church in UAE’s interfaith Abrahamic Family House

Feb 21, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

A synagogue, church, and mosque sit opposite a secular visitor pavilion in an interfaith complex meant to encourage goodwill and... Read more

In the United Arab Emirates, a group of women will join other women from around the world on Dec. 8, 2022, to honor the Virgin Mary in the Worldwide Women's Rosary.

The Worldwide Women’s Rosary is coming to the United Arab Emirates

Nov 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

Women from all over the world will join together Dec. 8 for the public recitation of a rosary to Our... Read more

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

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra inaugurated an apostolic nunciature in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Feb. 4, 2022.

Vatican opens its first embassy in Abu Dhabi

Feb 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra inaugurated the new diplomatic post. Read more

An original manuscript from the Vatican Apostolic Library.

A 1,200-year-old Vatican Library manuscript is on display at Dubai Expo

Oct 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Dubai Expo is the first world’s fair to be held in the Middle East 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

Archimandrite Abdullah Yulio of the Melkite Catholic Church demonstrates against the UAE's deal with Israel, in Turmus Aya in the West Bank, Aug. 19, 2020.

US bishops urge direct negotiation between Palestine, Israel after UAE deal

Aug 21, 2020

The chair of the US bishops' international justice and peace committee on Thursday called gratifying Israel's decision to suspend the... 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

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on April 18, 2018.

Pope Francis lends support to committee on Abu Dhabi declaration

Aug 26, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has given his encouragement to a committee created by the United Arab Emirates for the promotion of his... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience Feb. 6, 2019.

Pope says UAE trip was 'new page' in dialogue between Christians, Muslims

Feb 6, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said Wednesday that his recent trip to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was a step forward... Read more

Pope Francis blesses a child at the Feb. 5, 2019 Mass in Abu Dhabi.

Seek Christ and his humble love, Pope Francis exhorts Catholics in UAE

Feb 5, 2019

Preaching on the Beatitudes during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, Pope Francis called on those present... Read more

Evangelizing Arabia: Parish life in Abu Dhabi

Feb 4, 2019

By Courtney Mares

On Tuesday, Pope Francis will visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi -- one of two total Catholic churches for... Read more

Pope Francis embraces Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, in Cairo, April 28, 2017.

Popes in the Middle East: Highlights of papal outreach in the region

Feb 2, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is set to celebrate the first papal Mass on the Arabian peninsula next week during his Feb. 3-5... Read more

Jan Figel, EU special envoy for religious freedom. Courtesy photo.

Papal visit to UAE is a ‘breakthrough,’ says EU envoy

Feb 1, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Jan Figel, the EU special envoy for the promotion of religious freedom, spoke to CNA and said that Pope Francis’... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015.

Pope Francis to visit Abu Dhabi in February 2019

Dec 6, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5 to participate in an international interfaith... Read more

Foreign workers in Dubai, UAE, in December 2013.

Catholic church in UAE to host fatherhood celebration for migrant workers

Jul 19, 2018

By Perry West

A Catholic church in Dubai is hosting a celebration to honor the United Arab Emirates’ migrant workers – many of... 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

Bishop Paul Hinder blesses the cornerstone of a  new UAE church.

Catholics begin to build new church in the Emirates

Jul 29, 2013

Catholics in the town of Mussafah in the United Arab Emirates have begun construction on a new church dedicated to St.... Read more