Philip Ian Pamintuan was part of the congregation for the pope's visit to Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. All pictures by Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Philip Ian Pamintuan was part of the congregation for the pope's visit to Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. All pictures by Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Amani Haddad with her daughter, Tala Haddad, 17.
Amani Haddad with her daughter, Tala Haddad, 17.
Fatima Desouza was grateful to be part of the service.
Fatima Desouza was grateful to be part of the service.
Vinil Rohi Marripudi, 15, said the papal visit was a wonderful experience.
Vinil Rohi Marripudi, 15, said the papal visit was a wonderful experience.
Roland Gabriel with his partner at the vast place of worship.
Roland Gabriel with his partner at the vast place of worship.
The pope thanked the people of Bahrain for their support of Catholics living in the country during the service.
The pope thanked the people of Bahrain for their support of Catholics living in the country during the service.
Father Nedumpurath Johnson travelled from Kuwait to be part of the pontiff's Bahrain tour.
Father Nedumpurath Johnson travelled from Kuwait to be part of the pontiff's Bahrain tour.

Gulf

Bahrain

Worshippers rejoice at Pope Francis's visit to Bahrain cathedral

Pontiff thanks people of Bahrain for caring for the country's Catholic community in address at Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral

Faisal Salah
Faisal Salah
Bahrain

November 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Worshippers have shared their joy at being part of a historic papal visit to the Arabian Gulf's largest Roman Catholic church.

Pope Francis thanked the people of Bahrain for their care for the country's Catholic contingent during an address at Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral on Friday evening.

He took part in a prayer for peace to round off the second day of his milestone tour of the kingdom.

The pontiff entered the vast place of worship to rapturous applause from a congregation thrilled to see the revered head of their flock in person.

After the Pope left the cathedral, those in attendance told of the thrill of hearing him deliver his message.

Fatima Desouza was delighted to see the Pope in person. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Fatima Desouza was delighted to see the Pope in person. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

"We were so excited and thrilled to see him deliver this holy Mass," said Fatima Desouza, 52, an executive secretary from India.

Vinel Marripudi, 15, a pupil who also comes from India, spoke about the importance of the occasion, saying "today was a wonderful experience, we witnessed history in this moment."

Roland Gabriel, from Lebanon, was enthralled by the chance to see the pontiff in person.

"The Pope's visit to Bahrain is something unique. I'm sure everyone enjoyed it just as much as we did."

The 36-year-old, who works as a regional human resources manager in Bahrain, hailed the leader of the world's Catholics as "a very humble influential figure".

"And that's what we love the most about him," he said.

Amani Haddad, from Jordan, was cherishing the Pope's momentous visit.

"I hope this is a great visit for Bahrain and for us. I am making sure to attend every event where the Pope will be while in Bahrain."

Father Nedumpurath Johnson, from the Salmiya Parish, travelled from Kuwait to attend the service.

"It was wonderful. The holy father spoke about unity and diversity. He tells us about how to live together as one family."

Philip Ian Pamintuan, 39, was part of the choir that welcomed the Pope into the cathedral. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Philip Ian Pamintuan, 39, was part of the choir that welcomed the Pope into the cathedral. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Phillip Ian Pamintuan was a member of the choir that sang in the cathedral as the Pope entered, and as he made his exit.

He says he was overwhelmed and blessed to be a part of the choir, adding that "it was a great gathering of many cultures and people."

The Pope will deliver a public Mass before a crowd of more than 20,000 at the Bahrain National Stadium on Saturday.

Pope's Bahrain visit — in pictures

Pope Francis leads Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis leads Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The cathedral is the largest in the region. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The cathedral is the largest in the region. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis stressed the need for the world to cast aside self interest and political ideologies to address injustice and world hunger. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis stressed the need for the world to cast aside self interest and political ideologies to address injustice and world hunger. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Priests light candles during the Pope's visit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Priests light candles during the Pope's visit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The pontiff greets priests. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The pontiff greets priests. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The leader of the world's Catholics also took aim at the growing divide between the rich and poor. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The leader of the world's Catholics also took aim at the growing divide between the rich and poor. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
There's always time for a selfie. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
There's always time for a selfie. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis writes in the visitors' book at the cathedral. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis writes in the visitors' book at the cathedral. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis greets the attendees as he enters at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis greets the attendees as he enters at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Members of the choir sing as they await the arrival of the Pope. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Members of the choir sing as they await the arrival of the Pope. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Priests and worshippers wait for the Pope. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Priests and worshippers wait for the Pope. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed El Tayeb speak at a meeting of the Muslim Council of Elders. Reuters
Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed El Tayeb speak at a meeting of the Muslim Council of Elders. Reuters
Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, attend a meeting with council members at the mosque in Sakhir Palace. AP
Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, attend a meeting with council members at the mosque in Sakhir Palace. AP
Pope Francis and the Grand Imam attend a meeting with the members of the council in the courtyard of the mosque at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis and the Grand Imam attend a meeting with the members of the council in the courtyard of the mosque at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives at the mosque at Sakhir Palace, alongside the Grand Imam of Al Azhar. AFP
Pope Francis arrives at the mosque at Sakhir Palace, alongside the Grand Imam of Al Azhar. AFP
The cathedral slowly fills before the Pope’s arrival. A friar speaks after the choir finishes singing a hymn. Faisal Salah / The National
The cathedral slowly fills before the Pope’s arrival. A friar speaks after the choir finishes singing a hymn. Faisal Salah / The National
Pope Francis meets the Grand Imam of Al Azhar mosque near the Sakhir Royal Palace in Bahrain. AFP
Pope Francis meets the Grand Imam of Al Azhar mosque near the Sakhir Royal Palace in Bahrain. AFP
The Pope meets the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb. Reuters
The Pope meets the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb. Reuters
Pope Francis meets Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in Bahrain. AFP
Pope Francis meets Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in Bahrain. AFP
Pope Francis and King Hamad attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue at the Sakhir Royal Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis and King Hamad attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue at the Sakhir Royal Palace. Reuters
Dr Ahmed El Tayeb delivers a speech at the palace in Manama. AFP
Dr Ahmed El Tayeb delivers a speech at the palace in Manama. AFP
King Hamad, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad and Pope Francis attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue at the Sakhir Palace. Reuters
King Hamad, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad and Pope Francis attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue at the Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis, King Hamad and other dignitaries at a ceremony at the palace. AFP
Pope Francis, King Hamad and other dignitaries at a ceremony at the palace. AFP
Onlookers film on their phones as Pope Francis attends the closing session of the dialogue. AP Photo
Onlookers film on their phones as Pope Francis attends the closing session of the dialogue. AP Photo
The Royal Bahraini Air Force flies the flags of Vatican City and Bahrain. Reuters
The Royal Bahraini Air Force flies the flags of Vatican City and Bahrain. Reuters
Pope Francis attends the closing ceremony of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis attends the closing ceremony of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Bahrain's King Hamad, right, and Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, talk as they wait for the arrival of the Pope at the closing session of the forum. AP
Bahrain's King Hamad, right, and Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, talk as they wait for the arrival of the Pope at the closing session of the forum. AP
Security officers wait for the Pope to arrive. AP Photo
Security officers wait for the Pope to arrive. AP Photo
The theme of the forum was 'East and West for Human Co-existence'. Reuters
The theme of the forum was 'East and West for Human Co-existence'. Reuters
More than 200 global faith leaders and scholars took part in the conference. Reuters
More than 200 global faith leaders and scholars took part in the conference. Reuters
Discussions covered the role of religious heads in addressing global challenges, as well as interfaith dialogue as a way to ensure world peace. Reuters
Discussions covered the role of religious heads in addressing global challenges, as well as interfaith dialogue as a way to ensure world peace. Reuters
The Pope was scheduled to speak at the closing session of the forum.
The Pope was scheduled to speak at the closing session of the forum.
Guests arrive for the closing ceremony of the forum. Reuters
Guests arrive for the closing ceremony of the forum. Reuters
New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)

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