The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Abdallah Ben Zayed Al Nahyan, was received privately by the Holy Father Francis at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at 12.30 today, and remained for a 45-minute discussion.

The Minister Ben Zayed wished to communicate to the Pope the decisions made by the government of the United Arab Emirates to promote the application of the intentions expressed in the Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and living together”, signed by the Holy Father and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahamad al-Tayyib (Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019), some already implemented and others in the implementation phase.

The delegation presented to the Holy Father a presentation box containing some stones with inscriptions in Arabic, which express messages linked to love, tolerance and brotherhood.

The Pope gave a copy of an engraving dating from the 17th century, depicting the construction works in Saint Peter’s Square, and four large photograph albums, intended for the president and the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, containing a selection of the best images of the Pope’s visit to the country.

At the end of the meeting, the Holy Father lunched with the minister and the delegation from the United Arab Emirates.