APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
(3-5 FERUARY 2019)

Papal flight
Sunday, 3 February 2019

Pope Francis:
Good afternoon to you all, and a good Sunday!

Alessandro Gisotti:
Good afternoon, Holy Father, good afternoon to you all. Welcome on board to the colleagues from Abu Dhabi for the Emirates – Salam aleikum. Holy Father, it seems like yesterday – it was almost yesterday – that we were on the return flight from Panama. Among the many banners of welcome there, one in particular, of the Muslim community of Panama, said: “Bienvenido Papa Francisco, hombre de paz”. And it is with precisely this spirit, I think, they await you in the Emirates, as a man of peace who goes in order to strengthen the dialogue of peace, the dialogue of brotherhood, human fraternity. Over to you, Holy Father.

Pope Francis:
Thank you for your company. It will be a short trip, brief. Today, this morning, I received the news that was raining in Abu Dhabi: this, in that place, one may consider as a sign of blessing. Let us hope it goes thus. Many thanks. I have brought copies of the icon made in the Bose Monastery, so that you can take it home: it is on the theme of dialogue between the elderly and the young [the icon depicts a young monk carrying an elderly monk on his shoulders]. This is very close to my heart, and I believe it is a challenge for our time. Paolo Ruffini will give you this icon. Thank you.

*Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office, 4 February 2019