The announcement underlines UAE's commitment to acceptance and open-mindedness during the Year of Tolerance.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on Wednesday announced that Tuesday, February 5, will be a holiday for private sector employees holding permits to participate in the Papal Mass.



According to Wam, the Mass will take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, during Pope Francis's visit to the UAE.

"The announcement is being made as part of a commitment to grant employees in the private sector the opportunity to take part in the event. The holiday for permit holders underlines the UAE's commitment to acceptance and open-mindedness during the Year of Tolerance, and its ongoing dedication to facilitating interfaith dialogue," the ministry said in a statement.

The visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church to the UAE, is at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

During his visit, from the 3rd-5th, the Pope will also participate in the International Interfaith Meeting on Human Fraternity.

Nearly 135,000 people are expected to flock to the Zayed Sports City to see Pope Francis. It is expected to be the biggest crowd to have ever gathered in the UAE.



Buses that will ferry ticket-holders will start their trips from designated access hubs as early as 11pm on February 4 from Dubai and 1.30am from Abu Dhabi.



Authorities said the gates of the Sports City will open at 5am on Tuesday - more than five hours before the papal mass at 10.30am - to accommodate the huge crowd that will pour in from across the UAE and the world.