HQWS is proud to have been entrusted by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs with the entire production of the Holy Mass for the visit of Pope Francis.
Staged in the Zayed Sports City Stadium the Mass was attended by 180,000 people.

 

HQ designed and built a multi-level 52 m wide covered stage which included central LED illuminated gold cross, marble altar and chair for the Holy Father. The contemporary, minimalistic design was infused with subtle arabesque pattern in the form of a full spot UV graphic overlay and incorporated an abundance of fresh flower beds. 

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A 120 strong choir was assembled from local churches, and supported by a live orchestral ensemble. A church organ was flown in from the UK for the occasion. HQ designed elegant white and gold choir robes trimmed with traditional Emirati embroidery and logo detail. To engage the audience and build participation in the hours leading up to the Mass, HQ’s Daz Jamieson directed and produced a programme of engaging film content including high level interviews, community mini-docs and archival material communicating messages of tolerance diversity and togetherness in the UAE. 

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For show and stage management HQ enlisted the services of veteran show caller Julie Whittle and her company, Orange Jackets.

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Total time to design and deliver the Project was just 4 weeks, including 10 days pre-production. Part of the stage was pre-built in sections in between the Asian Football Cup matches, the final of which took place just 3 days before the Mass. Total stadium build, including raising and carpeting the entire floor, installation of all audio visual, delivery of Papal dressing rooms, royal majlis, media tribunes for 700 global press, broadcast infrastructure and stadium-wide branding & ceremonial décor was executed in just 71 hours, 24 of which was in torrential rain.

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In the public spaces surrounding the stadium, HQ designed and delivered infrastructure for an additional 85,000 people which included twelve 16m x 9m outdoor LED screens with scenic surrounds, a  distributed sound system to cover 90,000 square metres and a central 24m x 18m concert stage for post mass concerts by Filipino and Indian music artists.

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