(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The office of the UAE Papal Visit has warned the faithful not to buy or accept tickets from unauthorised sources for Pope Francis' highly anticipated Mass at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi in February.
Only 120,000 people will have access to the stadium to attend the Holy Mass while others will have to watch it live-streamed from all the Catholic churches in the UAE, the office said on its official website (www.uaepapalvisit.org).
"The faithful are requested to be on their guard against anyone offering tickets for sale or offering tickets through unauthorised channels," read the website giving out details of Pope Francis' historic visit - the first ever official trip of a Catholic pope to the region.
The three-day visit starting on February 3 will also see the pontiff attending an inter-religious meeting in Abu Dhabi.
According to the website, the only official channels for ticket distribution are parishes under the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (Avosa) and Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (Avona).
"The venue for the celebration of the Papal Mass is the Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. The capacity of the venue (inside the stadium and outside locations within Zayed Sports City which is offered by the government for the Papal Mass) is approximately 120,000. Tickets will be limited to this number," said the office.
Reminders on securing a slot in the Papal Mass
> Tickets are free of charge but limited in number
> Expected to be available in parishes around January 20
> Parishes will be distributing tickets by community, ministry, movements, etc.
> Check websites of UAE Papal Visit, the vicariate and parishes for updates
"Only a small number of our faithful (we have about one million Catholics in the UAE) can attend the Papal Mass. Your cooperation and grace to make Pope Francis' visit to the UAE a success is of utmost importance. All are requested to follow the guidelines offered by the UAE Government and the UAE Papal Visit Office," read the website.
In a letter to the Catholic community, Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, asked the faithful to pray for the UAE leaders who made the visit possible. "May the visit be an important step in the dialogue between Muslims and Christians and contribute to mutual understanding and peace-making in the region of the Middle East."
Entry to the mass will be restricted by tickets but will be free of charge. All tickets will be printed and handed over by the Avosa Papal Visit Office and are expected to reach parishes around January 20.
The office said majority of tickets will be for the Catholic faithful of the Avosa, though a quota will also be reserved for those of Avona.
The Avosa Papal Visit Office will dispatch tickets on a quota system to all parishes, which will then distribute tickets to its main representations.
"Parishes will list down all of their main representations - by community, ministry, movements, etc. - with the aim to ensure a broad representation."
Details on transportation and on-site facilities will be issued at the time of ticket distribution, and the Catholics are urged to check the website of their parishes for updates.
The department has also urged people to check the official website and social media channels of the vicariate on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all information and updates on ticketing, logistics and itinerary.
"Kindly note that further information on how to attend the Papal Mass in Abu Dhabi ... is still being worked on. Once the attendance procedure and logistics are confirmed with the authorities, an update will be published on the website. Information will also be disseminated through parishes in the UAE and other communication channels, including the media." Pope Francis' itinerary Sunday, February 3
1pm - Departure from Roma/Fiumicino Airport for Abu Dhabi
10pm - Arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport, Abu Dhabi
Monday, February 4
12pm - Welcome ceremony, main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12:20pm - Official visit to the Crown Prince, Presidential Palace
5pm - Private meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm - Inter-religious meeting, The Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5
9:15am - Private visit to St Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi
10:30am - Holy Mass, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
12.40pm - Farewell ceremony, Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm - Departure for Rome
5pm - Arrival in Rome
Anjana Sankar Anjana Sankar is a journalist by profession and a humanist by passion. Her cluttered desk is not indicative of her state of mind.
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