In pictures: Abu Dhabi mass draws hundreds as new Pope calls for peace

Abu Dhabi: Hundreds of Christian worshippers participated in a Mass of Thanksgiving held at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening to celebrate the election of the new Pope.

Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV, is the first Pope from the US and the head of the Catholic Church. The celebratory mass was presided over by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.

“Let us follow him on the path of peace and unity,” Bishop Martinelli said during the mass, highlighting the message of peace conveyed in the very first words spoken by the new Pope.

“This is a key message of the new Pope: peace. And we are called to be peacemakers.”

Bishop Martinelli noted the background of the new Pontiff as a “son of migrants.”

“Pope Leo is the son of migrants – and that’s one of the reasons we feel especially close to him. Though he was born in Chicago, he has Italian, French, and Spanish roots.”

Bishop Martinelli pointed out the special message conveyed by the Pope’s own motto: “In the one Jesus, we are all one”.
“This beautiful expression,” the bishop said, “reminds us that, although we are many and different, we Christians are united in Christ Jesus.”

Separately, on Friday – the day after the election of the pope, masses were held in all the churches of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia with special prayers.