By AFPMore by this AuthorDUBAIPope Francis's three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates Sunday marks the first time a pontiff has ever visited the conservative Muslim Arabian Peninsula, where over 2.6 million Catholics reside. Saudi Arabia and Oman have yet to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See. In April 2018, Saudi Arabia hosted French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, who headed the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. And in November 2017, the head of Lebanon's Maronite church, Beshara Rai, paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia where he met King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Although in Saudi Arabia, all non-Muslim houses of prayer are banned.

Source: Daily Nation February 01, 2019 05:37 UTC