By Imam Mohammad Tawhidi
Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, held from November 27 to December 2, 2025, was widely interpreted as a message of peace delivered to a region yearning for stability. From Istanbul’s historical echo of Christian unity to Beirut’s emotional Mass attended by 150,000 worshippers, Leo XIV positioned himself as a bridge-builder in an age of fractures.
Yet observers across diplomatic and interfaith circles have noted a deeper layer to this trip: its unmistakable continuity with the United Arab Emirates’ pioneering work in promoting coexistence, religious fraternity, and interfaith diplomacy.
Although the UAE was not part of this papal itinerary, the shadow of Abu Dhabi, its institutions, its values, and its diplomatic influence, was present at every turn. The UAE’s imprint on contemporary Vatican strategy is visible, intentional, and growing.
Pope Leo’s own engagements before and during the trip signal a future in which Abu Dhabi serves not only as a historical milestone for papal outreach but as a strategic anchor in shaping the Vatican’s Middle East agenda for years to come.
Pope Leo’s repeated emphasis on “fraternity, unity, and peace over conflict” in both Beirut and Istanbul directly mirrors the ethos of the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi by Pope Francis. That moment remains the most consequential interfaith declaration of the 21st century, and its host nation continues to be recognised as its custodian.
Just days before embarking on his Middle East trip, Pope Leo XIV met Dr Khalid Ghanim Al-Ghaith, Secretary-General of The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, at the Vatican. Leo praised the UAE as a “global model of coexistence” and expressed eagerness to expand collaboration with Abu Dhabi on global fraternity initiatives.
This was not diplomatic courtesy; it was strategic signalling. The UAE is home to more than one million Catholics and dozens of thriving churches, all operating under a legal framework that promotes respect, social harmony, and religious inclusion.
Leo’s speeches in Beirut, therefore, gain new depth when viewed alongside the UAE’s trajectory. His call for a “regional renewal of fraternity” aligns seamlessly with Abu Dhabi’s aspirations and leadership.
A future papal visit to the UAE, potentially in 2026, would not only complete the symbolic circle begun in 2019, but also offer an ideal venue for marking the sixth anniversary of the Document on Human Fraternity with a regional summit.
Vatican analysts have suggested that Pope Leo may seek to deepen ties with Gulf states to facilitate “backchannel diplomacy”. The UAE, respected by all communities alike, is uniquely positioned for this partnership.
This presents a powerful narrative opportunity: highlighting the UAE’s alignment with Leo’s vision for a Middle East where peace is built not only through diplomacy but through a culture of coexistence.
A consistent theme uniting Pope Leo’s Lebanon visit and the UAE’s global initiatives is the insistence that “oases of tolerance” can survive even in turbulent environments. Leo’s Christmas-focused message in Beirut, recalling lights returning to Bethlehem despite regional instability, bathes his trip in the same aspirational glow that characterises the UAE’s interfaith programming.
Abu Dhabi hosts annual interfaith iftars, global harmony summits, and multicultural events that attract religious leaders from across the world. These are models that can be operationalised in post-conflict societies like Syria and Lebanon.
Pope Leo’s Istanbul address on AI ethics similarly invites UAE collaboration. With Abu Dhabi emerging as a global leader in ethical AI and digital governance, a joint Vatican-UAE working group on technology and morality would be timely, innovative, and mission-aligned.
As Christmas 2025 approaches, with Bethlehem’s lights symbolising “fragile hope in a wounded region”, the UAE and the Vatican now stand as parallel forces shaping the conversation on peace.
Speculation is mounting about a 2026 Gulf tour by Pope Leo XIV. Should the UAE be included, it would mark one of the most significant interfaith milestones since 2019. In the meantime, the UAE’s holiday interfaith events: public choirs, church celebrations, and national messages of coexistence, all offer a tangible extension of Leo’s call for unity.
Pope Leo’s first journeys as pontiff signal an emerging doctrine of peace through fraternity, diplomacy through coexistence, and unity beyond identity. This doctrine is deeply connected to the UAE’s evolving role as a leader in interfaith diplomacy.
Abu Dhabi is no longer merely the site of a historic papal visit; it is a conceptual partner in shaping the Vatican’s regional priorities, a model of harmony that strengthens the very themes Leo carried to Beirut and Istanbul. In every sense: historically, diplomatically, and thematically; the UAE now stands as a cornerstone of Pope Leo’s vision for a more peaceful Middle East. And the world is beginning to take notice.
The writer is a Parliamentary Adviser and research partner with TRENDS Research & Advisory.