UAE churches announce details of special mass in honour of Pope Francis

Dubai/ Abu Dhabi: Catholic churches in the UAE have announced details of a requiem mass in honour of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.
Several churches have said they will hold the requiem mass on Saturday, the day the Pope’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the churchyard of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican.
A requiem mass is a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead. Thousands of UAE residents are expected to attend the Mass at different churches.

Dubai churches

In Dubai, St Mary’s Catholic Church said all are welcome to attend the Mass scheduled at 7.30pm.
It will be presided over by Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia – the Catholic Church in the UAE, Oman, and Yemen.
The bishop had earlier instructed all parishes in the vicariate to offer Holy Mass in honour of the late pontiff.
The clergy and parishioners of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali, Dubai, have announced a requiem mass at 8.30am on Saturday.

Remembrance corner

Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi has set up a ‘remembrance corner’ in the church to honour the memory of the beloved Pope.
“During this Easter Week, we continue to offer prayers for his eternal rest,” the church has said.
The church had held a heartfelt Mass on the day of the Pope’s passing. It was presided over by Bishop Martinelli. Several faithful joined in prayer for the repose of the soul of the beloved Pope.

Daily prayers are being held in some churches across the country.

Abrahamic Family House

The church has announced another memorial mass at the St. Francis Church in the Abrahamic Family Houseat 7pm on Thursday.

The Solemn mass will be presided by Archbishop Christophe El Kassis, the Papal Nuncio to the UAE together with Bishop Paolo Martinelli, the church said in its announcement. “You are all invited to join in this solemn Memorial Service,” it added.