In pictures: Grand welcome to Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi

Ruler of Dubai and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi received His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. Pope Francis, accompanied by cavalry mounted on Arabian horses, was accorded an official reception.

Getty Images

1 of 9

L- R: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Pope Francis and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan attends the welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

2 of 9

Pope Francis (C) is welcomed by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R), upon his arrival to the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

3 of 9

Pope Francis (R) is welcomed by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (L) upon his arrival to the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

4 of 9

Pope Francis (L) is welcomed by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (R) along Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (2nd-R) upon his arrival to the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

5 of 9

A military honour guard wait for the Pope arrival at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

6 of 9

A military band performs as an honour guard marches by during the welcome ceremony for the visiting Pope Francis (unseen) at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

7 of 9

Aircrafts fly over the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi during a reception for Pope Francis.

8 of 9

Upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace, accompanied by cavalry mounted on Arabian horses, Pope Francis was accorded a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of the anthems of The Vatican and the United Arab Emirates.