On the second day of his pastoral visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrated Holy Mass on Friday, 21 March  2025, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, which is considered the largest church in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, parish priest Fr. Saji Thomas, parish priest of the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait Father Suleiman Haifawi, in the presence of a number of priests, and a large number of the faithful of various nationalities, which manifests the universality of the Catholic Church.

In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa underlined the importance of faith, unity, and perseverance in Christian life, especially for the people of the Middle East. He also addressed the rich diversity of the Catholic Church, and highlighted how this diversity is embodied in the liturgies of the Church in Bahrain. He added that the unity of faith, despite differences in languages and cultures, provides evidence of the strength and beauty of the universal Church.

Cardinal Pizzaballa also encouraged the faithful to continue to foster this spirit of communion, reminding them that the Church's mission is to serve as a sign of peace, dialogue, and love in the world.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa visits Bahrain’s National Museum

On the third day of his visit to Bahrain, Cardinal  Pizzaballa visited the National Museum of Bahrain, where he explored the Kingdom’s rich cultural history and learned about its diverse people. He was accompanied by Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Northern Arabia Bishop Aldo Berardi and parish priest of the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait Father Suleiman Haifawi,

During his visit, Cardinal Pizzaballa toured the museum’s exhibits, which span over 6,000 years of Bahraini history and highlights Bahrain’s significance as a cultural and trade hub. Furthermore, the museum provided him with valuable insights into Bahrain’s deep-rooted traditions and its role in regional history.

Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed admiration for the way Bahrain has preserved its heritage while embracing modernity, fostering an inclusive environment where different cultures and religions coexist peacefully. He remarked on the importance of cultural understanding in building bridges between communities and praised Bahrain’s dedication to preserving its history and promoting dialogue among people of different backgrounds.

The visit underscored the strong cultural and interfaith ties between Bahrain and the wider global community, reinforcing the nation’s reputation as a place of tolerance and historical significance.