Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, traveled to the United Arab Emirates for the Holy See’s national day at Expo 2020 Dubai, the world’s fair that had been postponed because of Covid.

Pope Francis made an apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates in 2019, during which he and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar signed the document on human fraternity.

“There is no doubt that our cultural roots, religious beliefs, territorial size and histories are quite different,” said Cardinal Parolin. “Yet we have chosen to know each other better, to appreciate each and are committed to looking for convergences that can contribute to the peace of the international community.”