Registration is now open for worshippers hoping to attend Pope Francis's public Mass during his landmark tour of Bahrain next month.
Thousands of people are expected to congregate at the Bahrain National Stadium on November 5, in a milestone moment for the Catholic faith in the country.
The stadium has a capacity of 24,000 and is mostly used for football matches. It is not yet known how many people will be in attendance for the event, which will begin at 8.30am.
The official website for the papal visit states that registration will be online only, with places reserved for members of the Southern Vicariate.
The open-air Mass will be a highlight of a busy four-day visit to the region, which starts on November 3, during which the Pontiff will also meet national and religious leaders and visit churches and a local school.
Registration details can be found on the official Bahrain papal visit website.
“Since spaces are limited, a system of registration, strictly reserved for the faithful of the Southern Vicariate who seriously intend to attend the Papal Mass, is implemented online only,” the website said.
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The Pope at the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions at the Palace of Independence in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Reuters -
The Pope greets participants at the end of the congress. AP -
Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb, was also at the event. AFP -
The Pope is applauded by other religious leaders. Reuters -
Religious leaders listen as the Pope speaks. EPA -
The Pope with Kazakh President Jomart Tokaev and Maulen Ashimbayev, chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, and other participants including the Grand Imam. EPA -
The Pope and the leaders of other major religions called for an end to warfare and bloodshed. Reuters -
The Pope greets the Grand Imam. EPA
Pope returns to Middle East
Pope Francis embarked on a historic three-day visit to the UAE in February 2019, the first made by a leader of the Roman Catholic Church to the Arabian Peninsula.
More than 150,000 gathered for Mass in Abu Dhabi as Pope Francis blessed the congregation and sent out a message of peace.
Tens of thousands of people queued up overnight at free transport centres across Dubai to travel to the capital and catch a glimpse of the Pope.
The Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, during the visit, has been hailed for promoting inter-faith harmony. It aims to unite people in a spirit of respect and tolerance.
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St. Mary's Arabic Choir singers pictured before they took to the stage for the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis during his visit to Abu Dhabi in February 2019. Photo: St Mary's Choir -
Members of the Arabic choir that sang at the Papal Mass in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Photo: St Mary's Choir -
Pope Francis arrives at the Abu Dhabi airport in 2019. AP -
Pope Francis is presented with flowers upon his arrival. Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, receives Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi, on February 4, 2019. Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed receives Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of the Al Azhar Al Sharif, in Abu Dhabi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Pope Francis greets Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar. Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Pope Francis pass a guard of honour. Presidential Court -
Emiratis welcome Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb with a traditional dance and song. Presidential Court -
Children dance during the arrival of Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb. Presidential Court -
A traditional Ayala dance is performed during the arrival of Pope Francis. Presidential Court -
A traditional dance is performed upon the arrival of Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb at the Presidential Airport. Presidential Court
Bahrain awaits historic visit
On arrival in Bahrain on November 3, Pope Francis will visit Bahrain’s King Hamad at the Sakhir Royal Palace.
This will be followed by a welcome ceremony in the courtyard and a meeting with diplomats, government officials and members of the public, according to the Holy See press office.
On Friday, November 4, the Pope will speak at the closing session of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Co-existence.
More than 200 global faith leaders and scholars are taking part in the conference and discussions will cover the role of religious heads in addressing global challenges and interfaith dialogue for world peace.
After a private meeting with Dr Al Tayeb, Pope Francis will address members of the Muslim Council of Elders, of which Dr Al Tayeb is the chairman.
He will say a prayer for peace at the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral at 5.45pm.
After addressing thousands of worshippers at the November 5 Mass, Pope Francis will meet young people at a local school.
On the morning of Sunday, November 6, the Pope will address a prayer meeting with bishops, priests and church workers at the Sacred Heart Church in Manama, before he departs at noon for Rome.
The message of the papal visit to Bahrain is “peace on Earth to people of goodwill” and the logo shows the flags of the Holy See and Bahrain cradling an olive branch, symbolising peace.
This emblem represents, “the commitment of people and nations to encounter each other free from prejudice and in a spirit of openness as brothers and sisters”, the Holy See press office said.
