All Catholic Masses in Dubai have been suspended due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, just days ahead of Easter, two churches in the United Arab Emirates announced on Friday.
Following government directives, “all Masses at our Church are cancelled until further notice,” St Francis of Assisi Church stated on its website. The church also urged parishioners to avoid visiting the premises in the interest of safety and community well-being.
The Jebel Ali coastal area has reportedly been targeted multiple times by missiles and drones launched by Iran at neighboring Gulf states, in retaliation for the Israeli-US offensive that began on February 28.
St Mary’s Catholic Church issued a similar notice, adding that its Good Friday Mass would be live-streamed on the church’s YouTube channel.
Pope calls for peace in talks with Israeli and Ukrainian leaders
Pope Leo XVI held separate phone calls on Friday with Isaac Herzog and Volodymyr Zelensky, focusing on ongoing conflicts and the urgent need for peace.
In his conversation with Herzog, the pope emphasized reopening diplomatic channels to end the conflict and achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. They also discussed the importance of protecting civilians and upholding international humanitarian law.
Herzog’s office said the two leaders exchanged Passover and Easter greetings before addressing the ongoing threats in the region, including missile attacks attributed to Iran and its allies. They also highlighted the need to ensure the safety of Christian communities, particularly in areas near the Lebanon border.
In his call with Zelensky, the pope extended Easter wishes and discussed the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. The Vatican noted that both leaders emphasized efforts to support civilians and advance initiatives such as prisoner exchanges.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Vatican has quietly worked to facilitate humanitarian efforts, including negotiating prisoner releases.
Zelensky later stated that Russian attacks continued during the call, describing ongoing strikes across multiple regions and noting the absence of any ceasefire, even during the Easter period.
The Vatican reiterated hopes that, with international cooperation, hostilities could end soon and a lasting peace be achieved.
Earlier this year, Pope Leo XVI described peace in Ukraine as “an urgent necessity.” He has also recently urged global leaders to return to dialogue over the Middle East conflict, expressing hope for de-escalation.
