Video: UAE leaders meet with Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi

Pope Francis, who arrived in the UAE on Sunday night, met with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The head of the Catholic Church was accorded an official reception at the Palace.

Mohammed bin Rashid and Mohamed bin Zayed receive Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, who was accorded an official reception ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/KhNpK7w16p

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) February 4, 2019

A 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the pontiff, following which the Papal anthem and that of the UAE were played, official news agency WAM reported.

Read: In pictures: Pope arrives in the UAE in landmark visit

Taking to Twitter Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “Mohammed bin Rashid & I were delighted to meet with Pope Francis in our homeland of tolerance. We discussed enhancing cooperation, consolidating dialogue, tolerance, human coexistence & important initiatives to achieve peace, stability and development for peoples and societies.”

Mohammed bin Rashid & I were delighted to meet with Pope Francis in our homeland of tolerance. We discussed enhancing cooperation, consolidating dialogue, tolerance, human coexistence & important initiatives to achieve peace, stability and development for peoples and societies. pic.twitter.com/E9zteMJ0ZC

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) February 4, 2019

#فيديو_وام : #محمد_بن_راشد و #محمد_بن_زايد يبحثان مع بابا الكنيسة الكاثوليكية ترسيخ قيم الحوار والتآخي الإنساني.#البابا_فرنسيس_في_الإمارات #عام_التسامح #وامhttps://t.co/QhF0zVyAYl pic.twitter.com/e16PpJF3JY

— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) February 4, 2019

The Pope’s visit marks the first time a pontiff has set foot in the GCC. He will be in the country until Tuesday, February 5.

Read: Everything you need to know about Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE