VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis welcomed representatives of the Abrahamic Family House in the UAE to a private audience at the Vatican on Monday, during which they reiterated their shared commitment to the promotion of interfaith dialogue and fraternity.
The Emirati delegation was led by Mohammed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, president of the interfaith center that is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. It officially opened in February 2023 and includes the St. Francis Church, Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.
Al-Mubarak presented the pope with a model of the three houses of worship in recognition of the pontiff’s leadership in efforts to advance peaceful coexistence and understanding between faiths.
“The Abrahamic Family House embodies the UAE’s enduring principles of mutual respect, interfaith understanding and harmony,” Al-Mubarak said.
“Our ongoing partnership with the Holy See signifies a profound commitment to His Holiness in nurturing a global community anchored in human fraternity and peaceful coexistence.”
The Emirati delegation was led by Mohammed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, president of the interfaith center that is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. (Supplied)
The mission of the Abrahamic Family House is rooted in the Document on Human Fraternity, a landmark declaration of peace and mutual respect signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb.
Since opening last year, St. Francis Church has played an active role in interfaith engagement, welcoming more than 130,000 worshippers to services and hosting more than 100 community events, including concerts by groups such as the Sistine Chapel Choir and the Little Singers of Paris.
The church was named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, whose dedication to peace and compassion in the 13th century continues to inspire efforts to achieve global unity, officials said.
Pope Francis thanked his visitors for their devotion to the aims of the Document on Human Fraternity and its vision for a world in which peace and mutual respect are paramount.
Representatives of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue also attended the meeting, officials said, reflecting its commitment to fostering collaborations between faiths.
