UAE Catholics welcome Pope Leo XIV, some foresee pontiff from Middle East or Asia in future

Dubai: The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy, has been met with a warm embrace by Catholics across the UAE.

The new pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, takes the helm of the Catholic Church at a time when global unity and renewal are more vital than ever. His appointment has stirred both hope and reflection among the UAE’s multicultural Catholic population.

“As a member of the global Catholic community, I welcome Pope Leo XIV with hope and high expectations,” said George Schroeder, a Pakistani electrical engineer in Dubai.
“I look to him to continue the legacy of humility and justice set by his predecessor,” he added.

Gaelle Pemi, a freelance junior consultant from Cameroon, said:
“The American Catholic Church in the United States is still very close to the traditional Catholic beliefs of faith and love, spirituality, community, and prayer.”

“Having the new Pope from the US is a blessing in this time when the modern world is trying to change the Church’s roots,” she said.

“Change can be good, but knowing what to change or improve is very important. And I think the new Pope has very strong experience that will help him make the right changes or improvements needed for the Church.”

“Habemus Papam (We have a Pope in Latin) and what truly matters is his commitment to lead with humility, love, and faith,” said Jessin Tom James, from India.

“We trust that his election is guided by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the enduring traditions of our Church. In a time when faith is often tested, we believe Pope Leo XIV will guide us through uncertainty with steadfast hope, prayer, and compassion. Ultimately, our faith is anchored in one of Christ’s greatest commandments—‘Love one another,’” said the project manager in Abu Dhabi.

Yet the growing call for leadership that reflects the global makeup of the Church resonated with some of the faithful here as well.

While his roots are in the US, Pope Leo’s deep ties to Latin America and missionary work across continents have inspired many in the UAE, where diversity is a daily lived reality. Some also expressed hopes for a future pontiff from the Middle East or Asia.

“The Church is a global body, and its highest representatives should reflect that reality,” said Schroeder.
“I believe diversity within the Church’s leadership is not just important—it is essential. A future Asian Pope would be a powerful symbol of the Church’s universality and a bridge to billions seeking meaning, justice, and belonging in a complex world. In Pope Leo XIV, I see a step forward. In the future, I hope for even broader horizons,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pemi is almost certain that “we will see a Pope coming from this region or Asia in the future because we have diversity of religion in the area that has proven to be a strength and not a weakness.”

“A new Pope coming from this region in the future will be able to demonstrate that to the entire world, and more people from different nationalities, cultures, and religions will be able to live in peace without unnecessary fights,” she added.

For others, it’s not the origin that matters—but the mission.

“The Pope, following St Peter’s steps, can be from anywhere. Whoever sits on that chair comes from the leading of the Holy Spirit. I look forward to the continuity of the great things which the late Pope Francis began—like synodality. I am just thrilled for what is in store for the Catholic faith as a whole ,” said Christy Balandra, a Filipina office administrator.

Meanwhile, though he too believes the origin of the Pope matters little, James noted that the papacies of recent decades—from Poland, Germany, and Argentina—reflect the Church’s global reach, and Pope Leo’s extensive missionary work around the world brings a wealth of diverse experience.

“The possibility of a future Pope emerging from other continents is very real. In an ever-changing world, we pray that our faith remains strong and is continually renewed through enduring Christian values. Diversity within the Church is a great strength, as reflected in the global missionary work of our Cardinals, bishops, and nuns united under one shared mission: to serve with faith, love, and humility,” he added.