The following is the Message of condolence on the death of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent by the Holy Father Francis to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, new President of the United Arab Emirates:

Message of the Holy Father

To His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President of the United Arab Emirates

Saddened to learn of the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Sovereign of Abu Dhabi, I offer Your Highness my heartfelt condolences and the assurance of my prayers for his eternal rest. I likewise join the people of the Emirates in mourning his passing and paying tribute to his distinguished and far-sighted leadership in the service of the nation.

I am particularly grateful for the solicitude shown by His Highness to the Holy See and to the Catholic communities of the Emirates, and for his commitment to the values of dialogue, understanding and solidarity between peoples and religious traditions solemnly proclaimed by the historic Abu Dhabi Document and embodied in the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. May his legacy continue to inspire the efforts of men and women of good will everywhere to persevere in weaving bonds of unity and peace between the members of our one human family.

In commending His Highness to the eternal mercies of the Most High God, I assure you also of my prayers as you enter upon the responsibilities of your lofty office. Upon you, the members of your Family, and upon all the beloved people of the United Arab Emirates, I cordially invoke an abundance of divine blessings.

From the Vatican, 17 May 2022

FRANCIS