Pope Francis wins hearts at secular and religious events during Bahrain visit

Bahrain.

Pope Francis concluded his 39th Apostolic Journey with a four-day visit to the island kingdom of Bahrain, blending with ease both secular and religious aspects.

He exuded charm and humility, whether he was addressing a secular audience at a interreligious dialogue or encouraging local Catholics to be role models for other communities.

He made a huge impact at the closing ceremony of the first-ever “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence”, which saw around 200 interfaith leaders gathered to promote fraternity. Addressing the inter-faith gathering, he stressed the need for prayer, education and action, if we wanted the world to live in fraternity.

“We have a specific role to play, and this Forum has offered us a further opportunity in this regard. It is our duty to encourage and assist our human family, interdependent yet at the same time disconnected, to sail the sea together”, the Pope noted. He also used the platform to condemn violence in the name of religion and made a plea to “stop supporting terrorist movements fuelled by financing, the provision of weapons and strategy, and by attempts to justify these movements, even using the media.”

At the public mass at the Bahrain National Stadium on 5 November, he offered a deeply enriching religious experience to the estimated 30,000 people, and went around the stadium in his Pope mobile, waving, blessing and touching little children in his customary warm manner. In his homily, Pope Francis urged the faithful to do good, and turn the other cheek, "even when evil is done to us," and reminded the faithful of the words of St. Paul: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

He also had prudent words of advice to the Muslim Council of Elders, a body that advocates moderation in religious matters. He said in his speech: “We need to put a future of fraternity ahead of a past of antagonism, overcoming historical prejudices and misunderstandings in the name of the One who is the source of peace. Indeed, how can believers of different religions and cultures live side-by-side, accept and esteem one another if we remain distant and detached?”

The Holy Father also used the visit to strengthen the faith of the Catholics of Bahrain by attending close-door prayer meetings. Of the Pope’s seven public encounters during the visit, four were meetings with various sections of the local Catholic Church.

The Holy Father began his schedule of church events with an ecumenical service for leaders of Christian churches across the world. The service held at the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral, Awali, began with a beautiful message on fraternity between ‘brothers’ of different cultures and languages as was at the Pentecost. Next, the Patriarchs offered intercessory prayers for world peace, the end of violence and abuse of the poor and needy. 

On 5 November, the Holy Father also met with the youth at Sacred Heart School. The young people appeared totally enamoured by the Holy Fathers’ presence and his spontaneous interaction. It was a sea of flags as the children kept waving and chanting ‘Viva Papa’ as he entered the venue for the meeting. He was welcomed by a traditional Bahrani dance performed by the children, followed by testimonies delivered by alumni of the school including Lieutenant Abdulla Atiya Sayed a serving member of the Bahrain Royal Guards, Nevin Fernandez a catholic raised in Bahrain and Merin Motha, a young catholic serving in various ministries of the church. Sr. Roselyn Thomas, AC delivered a welcome address.

On the morning of 6 November, the Holy Father led a prayer service with Bishop Paul Hinder for the priests and consecrated along with a group of pastoral workers. The Angelus was recited at the meeting in Latin, followed by a Gospel reading, reflection and testimonies. Prayers of the faithful were offered and the Holy Father delivered his final blessings to the faithful gathered as this was his last stop before departing to Rome early in the afternoon.