St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, Roman Catholic cathedral in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
St. Joseph's Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Abu Dhabi, built in a modern style with stained glass windows that depict biblical scenes. The building is part of a larger complex that includes a main nave used for worship and several smaller spaces.
The first church on this site was built in 1962, on land given by Sheikh Shakhbut, who ruled Abu Dhabi at the time. The current complex opened in 1983, taking the place of that earlier and much smaller building.
The cathedral serves Catholics from many different countries, who attend Mass in several languages depending on the day and time. Visitors who walk in during a service will likely hear prayers in Filipino, Arabic, English, or another language spoken by the congregation.
The complex has parking available for visitors and is open on weekdays as well as during service times. It is worth checking the schedule in advance, as access to certain areas may depend on when services are held.
Pope Francis visited in February 2019 as part of a trip to the United Arab Emirates that marked the first papal visit ever made to the Arabian Peninsula. During his time at the cathedral, he met with members of the local congregation inside the building.
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