More than 180,000 people were in attendance inside and outside the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi for the first papal mass on February 5, 2019
By Staff Reporter
With barely two months of preparation and enormous logistical requirements, it was nothing short of a miracle that the historic three-day official visit by Pope Francis to the UAE, back in February 2019, was a big success.
“Thanks to the commitment of the UAE government, everything went smoothly,” Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder, former Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, told Khaleej Times on Tuesday.
31 Dec, 2023
Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Festival fireworks
There was no precedent. It was the first time a Pope set foot on the Arabian Peninsula. “There were different channels and collaborators who worked tirelessly for the papal visit,” noted Bishop Hinder, adding, “Although I personally invited the Holy Father, the most important and official invitation came from President Sheikh Mohamed.”
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Three years prior to Pope Francis’ historic visit, Sheikh Mohamed, who was then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met Pope Francis on September 15, 2016, in Vatican.
UAE: Meet the bishop who helped bring Pope Francis to Arabian Peninsula for the first time
“We initially received information the last day of October (2018) about the Pope’s visit. But the official announcement only came in December 2018. So, the real time to prepare the entire event was very short,” said Bishop Hinder, pointing out: “It was really stressful to organise an important event in such a short time. We surely wouldn’t have managed it alone at the church. But thanks goes to the commitment of the UAE government that worked very hard for the momentous occasion to happen.”
According to authorities, more than 180,000 people were in attendance inside and outside the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi for the first papal mass on February 5, 2019. They came from all over the world, representing a multi-lingual and multi-racial church.
UAE: Meet the bishop who helped bring Pope Francis to Arabian Peninsula for the first time
Message of peace
Bishop Hinder underscored Pope Francis came to the UAE to share the message of peace. The theme of the visit was ‘Make me a channel of your peace’ (from the prayer of St Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century saint known for his vow of poverty, deep humility and peace advocacy) — and that was the Pope’s intention in going to UAE: “How all people of goodwill can work for peace”
Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder. KT Photo: Angel Tesorero
Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder. KT Photo: Angel Tesorero
“I think the main motivation was to show the importance of the inter-religious dialogue,” noted Bishop Hinder, explaining: “Looking at the situation in the world, the two main monotheistic religions (Islam and Christianity) can at least find a way to mitigate global tensions.”
This was highlighted by the inter-religious event (Global Conference on Human Fraternity) that happened during the Pope’s visit and the signing of the landmark ‘Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together’ with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on February 4, 2019, which became a cornerstone of Christian-Muslim dialogue and is now incorporated into several documents and encyclicals.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, visited lands never reached before by a pope — from Lampedusa to Corsica, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Iraq (visited by the Pope in 2021 during the Covid pandemic).
“Clearly, this was one of the strong points in his pontificate — to push for more human dialogue — and we (UAE) were part of that,” said Bishop Hinder, who also highlighted the religious tolerance in the country.
“Pope Francis showed the face of God that is a merciful God,” added Bishop Hinder, who pointed out the Pope was also the strongest voice when it came to calling an end to major conflicts.
Apostolic Vicar for 21 years
For Bishop Hinder, meeting Pope Francis face-to-face was the highlight of his priesthood and religious vocation. “There were thousands of bishops, and not every bishop had the chance to meet a Pope. I had that opportunity and for that time I’m very grateful, now that I’m an old man,” added the Swiss Catholic bishop who turned 83 on April 22 — the day he spoke to Khaleej Times.
Bishop Hinder served as Apostolic Vicar for 21 years. He was ordained bishop on January 30, 2004, in Abu Dhabi. He retired on May 1, 2022, and Pope Francis then appointed Bishop Paulo Martinelli OFMCap to take his place as the Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia.
Prior to his retirement, Bishop Hinder served as member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, a consultor to the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. He was also a member of the Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions.
Another key highlight of his service to the church and ministry was the release of a book containing his pastoral letters and important speeches that were turned into a book, titled ‘And I came to Arabia’.
