Papal visit: Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi to mark a historic day for inter-faith relations - as it happened

History was made on Sunday when the wheels of Pope Francis's flight from Rome touched down in Abu Dhabi. The Pope's first day in the UAE will be a moment for all faiths to meet and build strong relationships based on religious tolerance. Here you will find live coverage of the Pope's visit from The National's reporters across the UAE, as it happens. All times UTC+4 _______________ _______________ A powerful message from Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb. We're wrapping up our live coverage of the Pope in the UAE tonight and leave you with our front page for tomorrow's edition above. Be sure to pick one up! Tomorrow is the Pope's public Mass. We will be reporting live from tomorrow morning. Final preparations are taking place at Zayed Sports City. The National's Nick Webster will be with faithful in Dubai making their journey's in the small hours. You can follow him on Twitter . And finally, check our special page - The Pope in the UAE - for the latest news, video and photography. _______________ The National 's Sofia Barbarani looks at the first day highlights of Pope Francis in the UAE _______________ The Catholic Church and Al Azhar have pledged to convey the Human Fraternity Document to its authorities, influential leaders, persons of religion all over the world. Read what they have pledged . _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ The world must reject war and everything associated with it, the Pope said at the Founder's Memorial. "Human fraternity requires of us, as representatives of the world's religions, the duty to reject every nuance of approval from the word 'war'. I am thinking in particular of Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya," the Pope said during an interfaith meeting in Abu Dhabi attended by Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, the world's top Sunni Muslim cleric. In his speech, Dr Al Tayeb said he and the Pope agreed that all faiths should be free from the actions of those who commit violence in the name of religion. "We have agreed that all faiths are free from all the armed entities that are causing terror, whichever faith, doctrine, or ideologies they have," he said. "These are criminals, blood slaughterers and aggressors." _______________ Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb signed a Human Fraternity Document at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi. The document seeks to encourage fraternal relationships between all people, bring an end to conflicts and help the poorest in society. Speaking at the memorial Pope Francis said "hatred and violence" in the name of God cannot be justified, praising the value of education in reducing conflict. Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb called on Muslims to protect Christian communities in the Middle East and Muslims in the West to integrate into their communities. "You are part of this nation... You are not minorities," he said told Christians during a speech in Abu Dhabi. _______________ Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb walked either side of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, hand in hand as they arrived at the Founder's Memorial in darkness and to peaceful music. The signing of a "Human Fraternity Document" at the Founder's Memorial, is seen as a historic moment in relations between the Al Azhar and the Vatican. It is to be a declaration of "good and honest intentions" and a "guideline for future generations," a video describing the document said. The document will aim to foster peace, human fraternity and help the poorest and most in need. Speaking at the Founder's Memorial, the Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb called on Muslims to protect Christian communities, and that Christians are part of Middle Eastern nations, not minorities. "You are part of this nation... You are not minorities," he said during a speech in Abu Dhabi. ______________ Pope Francis will arrive at the Founder's Memorial – a tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE shortly. Pope Francis is expected to make a speech at the Founder's Memorial covering fraternity and the positive effect religion can have on the world. The event at the Founder's Memorial is a part of the Human Fraternity Meeting, which has been taking place in Abu Dhabi this week. _______________ In a landmark moment for interfaith relations, Pope Francis will attend a private meeting of the members of the Muslim Council of Elders. The meeting is expected to take between 30 to 45 minutes. The National's reporter, Sofia Barbarani , is at the Grand Mosque, at a uniquely quiet time. _______________ A convoy of cars, carrying Pope Francis in the Kia Soul has arrived at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Pope Francis was met by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif University, Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, who welcomed him to the mosque. _______________ The live stream of Pope Francis' visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has now begun and his arrival appears to be imminent. The pontiff will attend a private meeting with the Muslim Concil of Elders. _______________ Pope Francis will soon arrive at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for a meeting with the Muslim Council of Elders, after which he will attend an interfaith meeting at the Founder's Memorial. Watch the Pope's arrival and his remarks at the memorial on this blog. _______________ The Pope was given the title-deed to the first church in the UAE as a gift at the end of a meeting in the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid presented the Pope with a leather and wood box containing a document issued on 22nd June 1963 by the late Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the then Ruler of Abu Dhabi, granting a plot of land on the western side of Abu Dhabi to the Catholic Church. The commemorative gift also contained a historical picture of Sheikh Shakhbut with Bishop Luigi Magliacani da Castel del Piano, then the Catholic Vicar Apostolic of Arabia. The plot of land is thought to be the first church in the UAE, St Joseph's - then located on the Corniche. _______________ "I invoke upon your highness and all the people of the United Arab Emirates, the divine blessings of peace and fraternal security," Pope Francis wrote in the Presidential Palace's Guest Book, after thanking the UAE for its warm welcome and hospitality. _______________ After his meeting with Sheikh Mohamed, Pope Francis signed the ‘Book of Honour’ and presented the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi with a framed medallion depicting a historic meeting between two key figures in Islam and Christianity. The medallion depicts the encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan Malek Al Kamel which took place in 1219. A Latin inscription of the Apostolic visit can be found around the border of the medallion, created by the artist Daniela Longo, whose imagery highlights the purpose of the trip, human fraternity and dialogue. _______________ In case you are flying while the public Mass takes place in Abu Dhabi tomorrow and are concerned you won't be able to watch it, fear not - as long as you are flying with Etihad. Abu Dhabi's airline will have a live broadcast of the event on its in-flight entertainment screens and at its lounges worldwide. Etihad is then flying the pontiff back to Rome’s Ciampino Airport on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. _______________ The arrival of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif University, Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, is also of huge significance to the UAE's ongoing efforts to forge closer links between all faiths. In the video below we explain who he is and why he is so important. _______________ When Pope Francis appears at his numerous public engagements there is often one man who is never far from his side. Who is this person? It's Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid. He's a Coptic Catholic priest, and is the Pontiff’s second personal secretary. You can read more about him here . _______________ The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has revealed what happened once they stepped inside the Presidential Palace. He, along with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, discussed with the Pope "enhancing cooperation, consolidating dialogue, tolerance, human coexistence & important initiatives to achieve peace, stability and development for peoples and societies," according to this tweet... _______________ In a country full of some of the most stunning cars available to drive on regular roads, it was a more humble ride that Pope Francis used to arrive at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. Rather than a muscular Range Rover or Nissan Patrol, it was a Kia Soul that the pontiff stepped out from, having been escorted to the palace by a cavalry of horses. You can read more on the car here . _______________ _______________ The Pope has now arrived at the Presidential Palace where he was greeted by Sheikh Mohamed. A 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the pontiff, following which the Papal Anthem and that of the UAE were played as the Pope stood alongside Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed. He then shook hands with a number of dignitaries before they filed into the palace. _______________ Monday, February 4 12pm: Welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace 12.20pm: Meets Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, at Presidential Palace 5pm: Private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 6.10pm: Inter-religious meeting at the Founder's Memorial Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome 9.15am: Private visit to St Joseph's Cathedral 10.30am: Public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis 12.40pm: Farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport 1pm: Departure by plane to Rome 5pm: Arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Papal visit: Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi to mark a historic day for inter-faith relations - as it happened

The Pope is speaking at an interfaith meeting at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi