Emirates received Pope Francis with a majestic ceremony

Pope Francis began Monday his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates with a speech grand welcoming ceremony before addressing other religious leaders for a show of striking tolerance in a Muslim region known for its restrictions on freedom of worship.

The pontiff arrived at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi aboard a simple three-door Kia car, but He was received with a salute of artillery and an air sample from a country at war..

Although it is a nation known for its excesses, the reception was exceptional for a pope who prides himself on his simplicity. The horse guards escorted the pontiff's caravan through the palace gardens while the the planes left a yellow and white trail in the sky, the colors of the Vatican flag.

Francisco was serious among the mighty crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyanand the UAE vice-president and prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumwhile national anthems were played and delegations presented.

His address to a meeting of religious leaders later in the day is the central act of his brief 40-hour visit to Abu Dhabi. The trip will end on Tuesday with first papal mbad of history in the Arabian Peninsula, a meeting that should bring together some 135,000 people in a public demonstration of the Christian faith never seen in the cradle of Islam.

Francisco arrived Sunday evening in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a few hours after making a surprising call from the Vatican cease-fire in Yemenand that food and medicines reach its inhabitants, who are suffering the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

Emirates was the The main ally of Saudi Arabia in its war campaign in Yemen and, when declaring to the Vatican, Francisco avoided embarrbading his guests with public denunciation on the humanitarian cost of war while in the region. The cries of these children and their parents are rising "before God," he said in his Sunday blessing, before heading to Rome airport for the trip.

Indicating that regional politics plays an important role in Francisco's visit, the papal plane flew north of Qatar and surrounded the wealthy oil nation.

Four Arab countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) maintain a boycott of Qatar since June 2017 as part of a regional political conflict. Tensions remain strong, especially after Qatar's victory in the Asian Cup in the UAE.

By avoiding Qatari airspace, the pope he avoided sending a telegram greeting the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, leader of the country, while he was flying over any other nation. Yes sent a crossing the island nation of Bahrain.