First papal visit to Arabian peninsula

Pope Francis’ visit to the United Arab Emirates marks the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam

NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS BY COUNTRY
% of total population

Qatar   220,000 8.2%
Kuwait  436,000  10%
Bahrain* 88,000   7%
Saudi Arabia 1.4 million 4%
Oman     198,000  4%
Yemen*    41,000 0.2%
Mecca
*2011 figures
400km 250 miles

Catholic churches
THE GULF
Dubai
Abu Dhabi St Joseph’s Cathedral
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 
OMAN
SAUDI ARABIA
100km 60 miles

UAE
1.2 million 12.8%
Home to around 1 million Roman Catholics, almost all expatriate workers

ITINERARY
Feb 3: Pope flies to Abu Dhabi

Feb 4: Meets with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,
at Presidential Palace

Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – largest in UAE – to hold private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders

Attends International Interfaith Meeting at Founder’s Memorial – built to honour late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of UAE

Feb 5: Visits St Joseph’s Cathedral. Celebrates Mass at Zayed Sports City stadium, attended by around 120,000 people

Departs for Rome

       

 Sources: Vatican, uaepapalvisit.org, Open Doors Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS