Christian World | The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia held an event in Abu Dhabi on St. Francis of Assisi's message of fraternity, peace and dialogue

ACW | October 20, 2026 — The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia held an event in Abu Dhabi on Monday, October 19, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Vatican News reported.

According to Vatican News, about 50 people attended the event at the Italian Cultural Institute. It was organised with the Italian Embassy in the UAE during the Week of the Italian Language in the World.

Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, said Francis's writings are a lasting witness to fraternity, peace and dialogue. He described them as "few and brief, but extraordinarily intense, profound, and in many ways groundbreaking."

Fr. Stefano Luca, director of the Vicariate's Interfaith and Ecumenical Dialogue Office, called Francis "a man in love with God." Emirati artist and engineer Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Mualla spoke on sustainability and Franciscan care for creation.

Italy's Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, described dialogue, mutual understanding and environmental sustainability as values guiding Italian foreign policy.

Background: St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, died in 1226. According to Vatican News, Martinelli recalled Francis's meeting with Sultan Malik al-Kamil. He said Francis told friars living among Muslims to avoid quarrels and act with humility.

Why it matters: Vatican News said the event focused on Francis's relevance in the Arabian Peninsula, where cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue is part of everyday life. The participation of an Emirati speaker in a public Church event is an example of the interfaith dialogue linked to freedom of religion and belief.

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Source: Vatican News — Abu Dhabi celebrates St. Francis' legacy of fraternity and dialogue

Photo: Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia / AVOSA