On 27 December 2025, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, closed the Jubilee Year at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ras Al Khaimah, the Jubilee Shrine for the UAE. On that occasion, he announced that “this church will continue to be a center of pilgrimage and spirituality for all our faithful in the Vicariate.”

Reflecting on the positive experience of the Jubilee and recognizing the need for places of prayer and pilgrimage offering confession and spiritual accompaniment, Bishop Paolo decided that the church in RAK will remain “a place of spiritual upliftment,” helping the faithful “on their spiritual journey, to find strength and comfort in their Christian lives and to continue being missionaries of hope.”

The closing celebration began with the Jubilee Pilgrimage, led by Bishop Paolo, followed by the Eucharistic celebration. At the end of the Mass, the Jubilee Cross and banner were removed from the church. Priests from across the Vicariate concelebrated with the Bishop, representing all the parishes of the Vicariate.

“The Jubilee of Hope concludes, but our journey continues, so that we may bring hope to all those we encounter,” Bishop Paolo said in his homily, which highlighted the link between hope and Christmas, as well as the Feast of the Holy Family.

“The hope of the world is the birth of Jesus, the Son of God who became the Son of Man. In this Holy Year of Hope, we have celebrated the Incarnation of the Son of God. God is with us forever; his love will never fail. This is why hope does not disappoint.”

Bishop Paolo also announced that a Pastoral Letter Hope and Mercy will be published on 28 December to preserve the legacy of the Jubilee, especially the experience of forgiveness. “The secret of hope is God’s mercy; it is forgiveness that allows us to begin anew. The Church is the place of forgiveness and the celebration that flows from forgiveness.”