Sheikh Mohammed described the visit as “a visit that will strengthen our ties and understanding of each other…”

In a landmark moment, Pope Francis is set to visit the UAE next February, the Vatican announced on Thursday.

This will be the first visit the pope has made to the UAE, with the trip taking place from February 3 to 5.

The Vatican said the pope had accepted an invitation from H.H. Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputry Supreme Commanader of the UAE Armed Forces and the Catholic community there, according to Gulf News.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter to welcome the news, saying that the visit “will strengthen our ties and understanding of each other”.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed also took to social media to welcome the visit, writing on Twitter that Pope Francis is a symbol of peace, tolerance and the promotion of brotherhood:

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