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Bp Paolo Martinelli attended the meeting of the Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (CELRA) in Rome, during which they met Pope Francis.

The new building will provide dedicated spaces for Catechism classes, community gatherings and parish activities, a residence for priests, and various offices, The ceremony was officiated by Bp Paolo Martinelli in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Khamis Masood Al Bahri, director in Oman's Ministry of Religious Endowments and Religious Affairs.

Nearly 1000 male and female workers were treated as VIPs in International Labour Day celebration hosted by St Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai, on Sunday 30 June. The daylong event was attended by Government officials and the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, and celebrated Dubai’s spirit of saluting the sacrifices of the workforce.

H.E. Msgr. Kryspin Dubiel, who has been in the Apostolic Nunciature in Abu Dhabi since 2021, was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Angola. H.E. Bp Paolo Martinelli expresses his gratitude for his work in the UAE and assures him of his prayers for his new mission.

On 23rd June 2024, the Comitium of Southern Arabia was raised as the Regia of the Arabian Gulf to govern the wider Legion of Mary. A thanksgiving mass was celebrated in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, presided over by H.E. Bp Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap., Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, in the presence of H.E. Bp Aldo Berardi O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, and many priests, spiritual directors of the different curias and legionaries coming from the Gulf.

Father Stefano Luca OFM Cap., speaks of the significance of the first pastoral visit of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia to St. Francis Church at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, and his personal experience.

Bp Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, addresses the children of the vicariate on the occasion of the 1st World Children's Day organized by Pope Francis in Rome on May 25-26, 2024, inviting all children of the world to join in presence or remotely. The theme of the event is "Behold, I make all things new".

"Love knows no barriers and boundaries. We too, as in the acts of the Apostles, come from different peoples, with different cultures, languages and traditions. The world needs to see that unity and peace are possible among such different people; yet, animated by the single Spirit of God that breaks down every wall."

On Saturday 4th May, Bp Paolo conferred the sacrament of Confirmation during his pastoral visit in St Mary's Dubai parish. "The Holy Spirit knows no cultural or national barriers. If we have a willing heart, the Holy Spirit enters within us and totally renews our life."

Bp Paolo was invited to participate in the Seminar titled “The United Arab Emirates as a Model of Diversity and Coexistence” organized at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024 Muslim Council of Elders Pavilion on Saturday 4 May.

Bp Paolo started his pastoral visit to St Mary's, Dubai, on the feast of the Holy Apostles Philip and James. "The bishop is a sign of the Apostolic Tradition of the Church. His presence here today indicates that the Christian life in the Parish of Dubai is linked to the encounter that James and Philip and the other Apostles had with Jesus." "We are part of the great and beautiful history of the Church which transmits the encounter with Jesus and the joy of the Gospel to all generations."

"How is our path to holiness progressing? I'm not asking an exaggerated question. The vocation of all Christians is to be saints: we are called to holiness, to the holiness of love. Jesus uses the image of vine and branches to explain the profound communion that must exist between Him and the Church; the lifeblood of love circulates between the branches and the vine, allowing the branches to bear fruit, fruits of love."

On Saturday 27th April, Bp Paolo conferred the sacrament of Confirmation during his pastoral visit in Al Ain parish. "Jesus wants us to receive the lifeblood that makes us fruitful for good works. This lifeblood is for you today the gift of the Holy Spirit."

On Friday 26th April, Bp Paolo started his pastoral visit to Al Ain Parish. As Jesus affirms that He is "the Way, the Truth and the Life", Bp Paolo makes us reflect on our own way: "Dear people, always remember that we are on the way. How much have we walked in the past year? Have we made good progress in our spiritual life, or have we remained stagnant? Are we walking together, do we help each other in love and sharing?"