Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif, arrived in the UAE on Sunday in advance of a series of interfaith meetings.
He was welcomed at the Presidential Flight by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Grand Imam to his "second country" and said he hoped for a "fruitful meeting with Pope Francis".
Dr Al Tayyeb arrived shortly before Pope Francis and greeted him from his flight from Rome, before leaving the airport together.
Dr Al Tayyeb was welcomed by a host of UAE leaders and ministers including: Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; and Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council.
During his three-day visit, Dr Al Tayyeb will attend a Human Fraternity Meeting with Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and take part in the International Conference for Human Fraternity.
Both religious leaders were personally invited to the UAE by Sheikh Mohamed.
The pair will visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on Monday, where they will also meet with the Muslim Council of Elders, of which Dr Al Tayyeb is chairman.
