The Pope visits the San Jos Cathedral, one of the two Catholic temples

Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) (AICA):Pope Francis today made a private visit to San Josà © Cathedral, one of the two Catholic temples of the United Arab Emirates, as part of his historic visit to the Arbiga Peninsula. In the basilica, which has no exterior Christian sign, not even a steeple or a visible cross, he expresses his joy at visiting the young churches.

The last day of Pope Francis in the United Arab Emirates was dedicated to Catholic faithful present in the predominantly Muslim country of the Arbiga Peninsula.

The pontiff bid farewell to the residence where he was staying these days. All members of staff, the Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Francisco Padilla, and a group of Capuchin brothers and priests of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, accompanied by the pastor, Bishop Paul Hinder and his relatives.

Francisco has traveled more than one kilometer, separating the residence where he resides, from the Al Mushrif Palace, to the Cathedral of San Jos, one of the Catholic churches of the emirate of Abu Dhabi , next to the church San Pablo de Musaffah.

In the basilica, which bears no Christian sign externally, not even the bell tower and even less a visible cross, the pope was greeted by the applause of a group made up of many members of the Catholic community, Bishop Hinder and the father Johnson. Kadukanmakal, originally from the state of India, Kerala, which has been serving in the Gulf since 1990, or since his ordination.

The pope enters in procession while singing the song of entry. Francisco goes to the central nave. A family donates a floral arrangement that it deposits in front of the altar. After a moment of recollection, the pontiff greets those present, expressing his joy at seeing these young churches present and thanking them for their testimony.

Then he blesses the tumult of everyone and goes to the stadium for the Eucharistic celebration. Whether entering or saying goodbye, the Pope is greeted and returned to the warm applause of the faithful who were on the outskirts of the Church.

The first church, in the place where the cathedral was built, was granted in 1962 by Governor Sheikh Shakhbut. The first stone was blessed in 1964 and the inauguration of the complex was completed on February 19, 1965. In 1981, the Church is already appreciated, as is currently seen, and two years later On February 25, 1983, she became a member of the cathedral, serving the Apostolic Vicariate of Saudi Arabia.

According to the latest data, St. Joseph's Cathedral or St. Joseph will host more than 100,000 Catholics, out of the 901,000 present in the United Arab Emirates, data obtained until 2017, faithful worldwide. the celebrations are held in Arabic, English, French, Tagalog, Malayalam, Singal, Urdu and Tamil. In 2013, part of the parish complex was demolished to build new rooms and offices for priests and service staff. +