The UAE President expressed hope that the pontiff’s tenure would advance global harmony, peace, and interfaith understanding
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has extended warm congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. In a message of goodwill, the UAE President expressed hope that the pontiff’s tenure would advance global harmony, peace, and interfaith understanding.
“I extend my sincere best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his appointment as head of the Catholic Church and wish him success in continuing to promote mutual understanding, peace, and harmony throughout the world,” Sheikh Mohamed posted on social media.
Echoing the President’s sentiments, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar congratulatory cables to the Vatican.
“We in the UAE deeply appreciate the Vatican’s role in promoting dialogue and peace among nations and faiths,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “We look forward to working together with His Holiness to advance a global message of coexistence, tolerance and shared humanity.”
Pope Leo XIV was elected Thursday by the College of Cardinals following the passing of Pope Francis last month. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old American prelate becomes the second successive pope from the Americas, following the Argentinian-born Francis. He is a member of the Augustinian order and had extensive pastoral experience in Peru before being appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023. Both roles were bestowed upon him by Pope Francis, who also elevated him to the rank of cardinal.
His election was formally announced with the traditional plume of white smoke from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signalling a successful vote by the 133-member conclave. A new pope requires a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes in this case. As the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square erupted in applause, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony and greeted the faithful in Italian, saying: “Peace be with all of you.”
In his first public remarks, the new pope evoked the message of the risen Christ. “I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you,” he said, according to BBC reports.
Earlier, the UAE reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to interfaith dialogue during the solemn funeral of Pope Francis. Representing President Sheikh Mohamed, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attended the Vatican ceremony.
He was joined by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
Sheikh Khaled offered condolences to senior Church leaders, including Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. He conveyed the UAE President’s heartfelt sympathies to the Holy See and the global Catholic community, praising Pope Francis as a beacon of human fraternity and interreligious harmony.
“His Holiness was a symbol of cultural coexistence and compassion whose humanitarian legacy will inspire generations to come,” Sheikh Khaled said.
