Abu Dhabi Crown Prince attends funeral of Pope Francis

Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed has attended the funeral of Pope Francis.

Sheikh Khaled attended the ceremony on behalf of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He was joined by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, and other senior officials.

The ceremony began in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican City and concluded with the burial rites at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, in the presence of global leaders and dignitaries.

Sheikh Khaled conveyed the UAE’s condolences to Vatican officials and the global Catholic community, describing Pope Francis as a symbol of peace, coexistence and interfaith dialogue.

The late Pope’s legacy includes his historic 2019 visit to the UAE and the signing of the Human Fraternity Document, which later inspired the UN to mark February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity.

نيابة عن صاحب السمو رئيس الدولة "حفظه الله"، خالد بن محمد بن زايد، ولي عهد أبوظبي، يحضر مراسم تشييع جثمان قداسة البابا فرنسيس التي انطلقت من ساحة كاتدرائية القديس بطرس، ليوارى جثمانه في كنيسة سانتا ماريا ماجيوري في العاصمة الإيطالية روما. pic.twitter.com/JqyP7HCIHy

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) April 26, 2025

On behalf of the UAE President, Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has attended the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, alongside world leaders and heads of state. pic.twitter.com/OUWHmwfBZJ

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) April 26, 2025