"The visit of Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates is a message of peace, love and brotherhood to the Arab world amidst the cycle of violence, repression and darkness, and a message of hope to the world that went into the unknown after the United States withdrew from the nuclear weapons treaty," said PSP leader, Walid Jumblatt, via Twitter.

"This invitation and meeting with Sheikh Tayeb is an appreciable gesture to the Arab Emirates," he wrote.