Pope Francis’ Alitalia flight touched down in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. ___12:45 p.m.Christian leaders attending a summit ahead of Pope Francis’ arrival in Abu Dhabi say they’re excited for the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. Andrew Thompson of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Abu Dhabi said his congregation was excited for Pope Francis’ Mass on Tuesday. Francis is expected in the United Arab Emirates later Sunday, where he will become the first pontiff to visit the Arabian Peninsula. ___NoonEmiratis are welcoming Pope Francis’ trip to Abu Dhabi, the first-ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, where Islam was born.

Source: Washington Post February 03, 2019 10:52 UTC