Vatican Official Arrives In UAE Ahead Of Christmas As Filipinos Celebrate Simbang Gabi

A high-ranking official from the Vatican arrived in the UAE on Tuesday for a two-day visit ahead of Christmas. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation - Section for the First Evangelisation and the New Particular Churches, will celebrate Simbang Gabi (evening mass) at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai on December 16, and at St Joseph's Parish in Abu Dhabi on December 17.

Tagle, 68, is also the president of the Catholic Biblical Federation and cardinal-bishop of Albano, the position previously held by Pope Leo XIV when he was still a cardinal.

“During his two-day stay, Cardinal Tagle will have the opportunity to meet members of the Filipino community and learn more about their reality, as well as that of the wider Vicariate, through dedicated meetings with Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia (Avosa), and his collaborators, including priests and community leaders,” Avosa said in a statement shared with Khaleej Times.

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Christmas tradition that began in the late 1600s during the Spanish colonial era. Filipino Catholics brought the tradition to the UAE in the early 2000s. More than 20,000 churchgoers attended the first day of the nine-day novena mass on Monday at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai. Other churches in the UAE also held Simbang Gabi.

Bishop Martinelli said:“We had often spoken with Cardinal Tagle about the possibility of his coming to the UAE for the Simbang Gabi. This year, it has finally become a reality. We are truly happy to welcome him.

“He is deeply loved by the Filipino faithful and has an exceptional gift for touching people's hearts and supporting them in their journey of faith. His presence is truly a beautiful Christmas gift. Furthermore, as the head of the Dicastery for Evangelisation's section overseeing our Vicariate, his visit also expresses in a special way the closeness of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. We thank the Lord for this grace, which strengthens our unity as a Church made up of people from many nations - a joyful polyphony of faith,” he added.

Last month, Pope Leo XIV visited Turkey and Lebanon for his first apostolic journey following his election in May as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

In Beirut, he celebrated an outdoor mass near the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast. It was attended by some 150,000 people, who listened to his message of peace, interfaith unity, and hope amidst the country's crises. In Turkey, Pope Leo called on Christian and Muslim religious leaders for an interreligious meeting to combat intolerance and violence.

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