Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The legacy of peace, tolerance, and love that the late Pope Francis had left behind enveloped the Abrahamic Family House on Thursday as senior officials, dignitaries, and the Christian community gathered for a mass that honoured the life of the pontiff.
Held at the St. Francis Church of the interfaith complex in Abu Dhabi, the memorial mass served as a profound tribute to the People’s Pope, who had touched countless lives across the world. Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
''His Holiness Pope Francis carried a message of peace to the world with humility and clarity. His faith was a living testimony, expressed through the simplicity of his life, his courage in facing challenges, and his defence of the weak,” said Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, the Apostolic Nuncio to the UAE, who led the mass with the participation of Bishop Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.
The UAE community's deep admiration for Pope Francis was evident in the huge turnout of people who paid their respects through the mass, said Abdulla Al Shehhi, Acting Executive Director of the Abrahamic Family House.
Among those present were Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture; Major General Khalifa Mohammed Al Khaili, Director of the Finance and Services Sector at Abu Dhabi Police; Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development; and several other officials.
“Pope Francis was loved by so many,” Al Shehhi told Aletihad on the sidelines of the mass.
“His relationship with the UAE is one of deep respect and longstanding connection. One of the highlights of my career was the honor of meeting him—twice. He was truly a great man, and his passing is a tremendous loss to humanity.”
Pope Francis leaves behind a powerful legacy, he added. “He was a true champion of human fraternity. … He constantly advocated for unity, compassion, and dialogue. He took a special interest in this church and its mission.”
“The Catholic Church over here will continue to uphold his legacy,” Al Shehhi said.
Parvez D’Souza, one of the community members who attended the mass, said he would always remember Pope Francis as an advocate of peace and fraternity.
“He looked forward to bringing communities, religions, and people together. It’s important that we are here today to acknowledge what he is done—and pray that this continues,” D’Souza said.
Another mass attendee, Lionel Monteiro, reflected on Pope Francis’ legacy and his core values that inspired the faithful.
“As we gather here to pay tribute to our Pope Francisco, I would like to remind ourselves of how he brought humility, practicality, and a very logical and pragmatic way of thinking — not just in theory, but through his actions and his way of living. What better teacher than Pope Francis?” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the UAE, Monteiro added: “Our community is deeply indebted to the Rulers of this country, who gifted both Pope Francis and us—his flock—the Abrahamic Family House. It’s a testament to religious brotherhood.”
"The signing of the Document on Human Fraternity still resonates with us,” he said.
