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Pope Francis is opening his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates by meeting with the federation's leader and a group of Muslim elders.
After that, he will address an unprecedented gathering of faith leaders in a show of religious tolerance in a Muslim region known for its restrictions on religious freedom.
Francis' speech to the gathering on Monday evening is the highlight of his brief, 40-hour visit to Abu Dhabi.
His trip culminates on Tuesday with the first-ever papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula.
It's expected to draw some 135 000 people in a never-before-seen display of public Christian worship here.
Francis arrived in the Emirati capital late on Sunday and was greeted by Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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