Kevin Rebello
Abu Dhabi, Feb 6: Announcement on December 6 about the Pope’s visit to UAE made me and people of UAE overwhelmed with joy and happiness. I always wanted to visit Rome and watch the Pope from the Vatican window but it had always got delayed due to my busy work schedule.
All my life I have watched him live on YouTube or television for various events, interviews but after the recent announcement I have decided to attend the mass and to have a closer glimpse of him.
The biggest challenge was allocating limited tickets for each parish after announcement on January 20. I was a bit concerned being born and brought up in UAE and being registered in the parish database, ‘What if I do not get?’ I made a decision to contact all my family friends who work as parishioner and lay minister to keep a ticket for me just in case. Their reply was we do not know how it is going to be distributed.
When I entered the church premises there was a significant change in aura for the extravagant event – stalls are made to sell the Pope’s visit- caps, mugs and T-shirts. Group of people talking about the venue and transportation provided by the church over a cup of tea on a Friday evening. I asked the lady who works in the parish office regarding my ticket she smiled and said they will inform me after two days, since the system takes time and first preference is for people who have registered for tickets. Finally I got a call and received the ticket.
I was perplexed by joy and enthusiasm of the people at 1 am on a cold shivery morning on February 5. Security was unbelievable. It reminded me of the airport check INS and lounges for small mini restaurant placed nearby. Once we reached destination about 1,20,000 people gathered together to experience the wonderful event. I and my friend waited for hours at a perfect spot to catch a glimpse of the pope while he enters the church. Once it was announced he is nearby, you could witness beefed up security and people from diversified cultures cheering. I forgot to mention around 700 news channels had a complete coverage of the Mass.
During the Mass, the choirs were amazing to hit the key notes. Managing the crowd was handled perfectly. At the back of my mind I will cherish watching Pope Francis which is basically a once in a lifetime opportunity. At the end, tolerance is an essence of human life across the globe.