Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia

Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia A territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church covering UAE, Oman and Yemen, based in Abu Dhabi The Apostolic Vicar in charge is HE.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia is a territorial jurisdiction of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and covers the following countries of the Arabian Peninsula: United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap., who hails from Italy.

Today we join the universal Church in offering our warmest wishes to Pope Leo XIV on his birthday.We give thanks for his...
14/09/2026

Today we join the universal Church in offering our warmest wishes to Pope Leo XIV on his birthday.

We give thanks for his ministry as Successor of Peter and pray that the Lord may sustain him with wisdom, strength, and peace as he guides the Church in faith and unity.

May the Holy Spirit continue to accompany him in his service to the Gospel and to all God’s people.

Happy Birthday, Pope Leo XIV!

📷 .mekary

Bishop Paolo Martinelli spent the past few days in Assisi together with Capuchin bishops from different parts of the wor...
13/09/2026

Bishop Paolo Martinelli spent the past few days in Assisi together with Capuchin bishops from different parts of the world for a special gathering of prayer, reflection and fraternity. Bishop emeritus Paul Hinder was present as well.

The bishops shared their experiences as pastors and reflected together on how the Franciscan charism continues to shape their service to the Church.

The days were marked by a warm and fraternal atmosphere, with many opportunities for personal encounters and exchange, alongside prayer and celebrations in some of the places closest to the life of St. Francis, including the Sanctuary of the Spoliation and the Basilica of St. Francis.

A beautiful opportunity to renew old friendships, build new ones and experience the fraternity of the Capuchin family across countries and continents. 🙏

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/bishop-paolo-capuchin-meeting-assisi

Men, husbands, and fathers gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Ras Al Khaimah, for the 3rd Catholic Men’s Conferenc...
09/09/2026

Men, husbands, and fathers gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Ras Al Khaimah, for the 3rd Catholic Men’s Conference, organized by the AVOSA Family Ministry.

Around 200 participants took part in a day of prayer, reflection, fraternity, and practical activities on the call to be builders of peace in the family.

Bishop Paolo Martinelli reminded them that peace begins in hearts rooted in God: “Knowing that we are loved children is a source of peace.”

Fr. Peter Fernando reflected on “Bridging the Gap Between Husband and Wife,” inviting men to strengthen communication, forgiveness, and daily attention in marriage.

The programme also included a LEGO workshop, where participants creatively expressed what peace meant to them, turning reflection into a simple and visible sign.

A day to reflect, share, pray, and bring peace home.

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/avosa-mens-conference-builders-peace-family

A special Mass was celebrated on September 7 by Bishop Paolo Martinelli in thanksgiving for his 46th anniversary of reli...
08/09/2026

A special Mass was celebrated on September 7 by Bishop Paolo Martinelli in thanksgiving for his 46th anniversary of religious profession and 41st anniversary of priestly ordination.

“I thank God who granted me 46 years ago to profess the evangelical counsels and to belong to Christ through the Order of Capuchin Friars. I thank God, who, without any merit of my own, called me to serve the people through priestly ordination, which I received 41 years ago,” he said in his homily.

He also recalled that both consecrated life and priestly ministry “are gifts I received not for myself, but for the people of God, whom I am called to serve, so that this people may be a people consecrated to God and priestly ministry, capable of offering their lives in union with Christ and bearing witness to the redeemed life that Christ has given us.”

We join Bishop Paolo in thanksgiving and accompany him with our prayers on these important anniversaries.

Read more: https://www.avosa.org/news/bishop-paolo-marks-41-years-of-priesthood-and-46-years-of-religious-profession

The UAE Pastoral Meeting was held on September 7 at St. Mary’s Church in Dubai, bringing together priests and Vicariate ...
07/09/2026

The UAE Pastoral Meeting was held on September 7 at St. Mary’s Church in Dubai, bringing together priests and Vicariate office coordinators at the start of the new pastoral year.

Led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, the meeting focused on the recent CELRA gathering in Rome, the Synodal Process, the new catechetical year, preparations for WYD 2027, and initiatives for the Franciscan Year.

The gathering was also an opportunity to welcome new priests and collaborators and to celebrate with Bishop Paolo his anniversaries of religious profession and priestly ordination.

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/uae-pastoral-meeting-opens-the-new-pastoral-year-in-dubai

Sunday night at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, the Catholic community gathered for a farewell Mass for Archbishop ...
07/09/2026

Sunday night at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, the Catholic community gathered for a farewell Mass for Archbishop Christophe El-Kassis, Apostolic Nuncio to the UAE and Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula.

After almost four years of service in the UAE, the Nuncio will soon leave for his new mission as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York.

Bishop Paolo Martinelli thanked Archbishop Christophe personally and on behalf of the Vicariate, asking him to continue to remember the faithful of the Vicariate in his prayers. As a sign of gratitude, Bishop Paolo presented him with a pectoral cross, saying:

“In Christ, the Prince of Peace, we met; in Christ we remain united.”

Bishop Paolo also warmly welcomed Msgr. Grzegorz Piotr Bielaszka, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature.

Read more on Avosa website: https://avosa.org/news/avosa-bids-farewell-to-archbishop-christophe-el-kassis

With gratitude and joy, we congratulate Bishop Paolo Martinelli on two special anniversaries:41 years since his priestly...
07/09/2026

With gratitude and joy, we congratulate Bishop Paolo Martinelli on two special anniversaries:

41 years since his priestly ordination, celebrated on September 7, and 46 years since his religious profession, celebrated on September 8.

We thank the Lord for his vocation and faithful service to the Church, and we accompany him with our prayers and best wishes.

Ad multos annos, Bishop Paolo!

The Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions gathered in Rome for their annual meeting: a time of sharing, reflection, and comm...
03/09/2026

The Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions gathered in Rome for their annual meeting: a time of sharing, reflection, and communion.

Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, took part in the meeting.

Received by Pope Leo XIV, the bishops were encouraged to remain close to their people and to witness to the Gospel with courage and hope.

“In the heart of societies marked by conflicts and divisions, may your communities show that it is possible to live, serve, and hope together.”

Read more on the AVOSA website: https://avosa.org/news/annual-meeting-of-the-latin-bishops-of-the-arab-regions-held-in-rome

At the Rimini Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, Bishop Paolo Martinelli took part in the panel “A Hope in the Time o...
26/08/2026

At the Rimini Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, Bishop Paolo Martinelli took part in the panel “A Hope in the Time of Conflicts.”

Speaking from the experience of the Church in Southern Arabia, he shared how prayer, ecumenical friendship, and interreligious dialogue can become concrete signs of hope in the Gulf amid conflict.

He recalled the faithful praying the Rosary online, young people asking deep questions of faith, and Christian leaders standing together for peace.

“Praying publicly together for peace and reconciliation among peoples is not only a spiritual event but has social and civil relevance.”

Read more on the AVOSA website: https://avosa.org/news/bishop-paolo-meeting-rimini-hope-conflicts

📷 Meeting Rimini

Mid-August in the Vicariate ☀️A few moments from Bishop Paolo Martinelli’s ministry in the UAE during these summer days....
20/08/2026

Mid-August in the Vicariate ☀️

A few moments from Bishop Paolo Martinelli’s ministry in the UAE during these summer days.

☀️

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