The crown prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, visited Pope Francis in the Vatican.
“Thank you, Your Holiness.”
The meeting was very cordial and lasted about 30 minutes.
The prince explained that in spite of Bahrain's Muslim majority, Christians are not seen merely as guests, but as citizens.
The prince gifted Pope Francis a small coffer with geometric figures evoking the seasons.
The pope gave the prince a medallion with an inscription about peace.
Before departing, the prince invited Pope Francis to visit his country.
“I hope you will visit Bahrain, and maybe next time we will be honored to receive Your Holiness.”
Currently under construction in Bahrain is the Catholic cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia. It is being built on land the king gifted. It might be finished by next year. Catholics dream that the pope will inaugurate it once it is complete.
