The UAE has welcomed the official visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the State from February 3-5.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: "We welcome the visit of Pope Francis to the UAE in February, a visit in which we hope to deepen mutual respect, Interfaith dialogue, and work to promote peace, peace and brotherhood among all human beings. "
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomed the visit. "We are delighted to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis, A symbol of peace and tolerance and the strengthening of bonds of human brotherhood. We look forward to a historic visit, through which we seek to maximize the opportunities for dialogue and peaceful coexistence among peoples. The flourishing of peace is an objective achieved by harmony and acceptance of the other.
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stressed the importance of the UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for this historic visit, which is particularly important in establishing ties of friendship and cooperation. In the Vatican, for the benefit of humanity and the service of world peace. During his visit to the UAE, Pope Benedict XVI participated in the "World Interfaith Dialogue Forum on Human Fraternity" at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He added that Pope Benedict's visit comes as part of the state's efforts to support and establish the foundations of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence in the region and the world.