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Pope Francis greets Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb as they attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at Al-Fida' Square of Sakhir Royal Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
Pope Francis is welcomed by girls and boys in traditional dress during a meeting with young people in Sacred Heart School in Manama, Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis is welcomed by girls and boys in traditional dress during a meeting with young people in Sacred Heart School in Manama, Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis arrives for the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Families attend the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Thousands of different age groups attend for the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Families attend the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Worshippers attend a mass held by Pope Francis at Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, near the capital Manama. AFP
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Endurance Ighodalo and Bridget Ighodalo travelled from Saudi Arabia to queue up early for the papal Mass at the Bahrain National Stadium. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Eucharistic ministers for the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Fatima Desouza, 52, shares her joy at seeing Pope Francis when he visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Pope Francis greets his fellow priests at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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It was a unique moment for Roland Gabriel and his wife to watch Pope Francis lead the prayers at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Pope Francis greets his fellow priests at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Father Nedumpurath Johnson travelled from Kuwait to hear Pope Francis speak during a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Amani Haddad said she cherished the visit of Pope Francis to Bahrain - the second by any Pope to the Gulf region. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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This handout photo released by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis attending a prayer meeting at the Sacred Heart Church in the Bahraini capital Manama. AFP
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Pope Francis (L) leads the Angelus prayer at the Sacred Heart Church in Manama, during his official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis shares a lighter moment with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain. Pope Francis's November 3-6 visit is part of his effort to pursue dialogue with the Muslim world. AP Photo
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Pope Francis leaves after attending a meeting with Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Sakhir Palace, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
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Pope Francis and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a farewell ceremony, on the last day of Pope's apostolic journey to Bahrain. Reuters
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A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa (C) meeting with Pope Francis (L) and Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb (R) at the end of their visit in Manama, Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend the closing ceremony of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at the Sakhir Palace, in Sakhir, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
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Pope Francis (C) embraces Bahrain's Grand Imam of al-Azhar mosque Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb as King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa (R) looks on during a ceremony at Sakhir Royal Palace. AFP
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Pope Francis, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at Al-Fida' Square of Sakhir Royal Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PUPVWQWHGEMWMK7KYNQMYXYLMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=137e8c89479c1f8e5fbc4e5a0200f1cfd33bf3408e08a964bd4a32ea5bad1e71&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis (C-L) is escorted by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa (C-R) as he leaves the Royal Palace in the capital Manama. AFP
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Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb look each other as they attend a meeting with members of the council of elders at the courtyard of the Mosque of Sakhir Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, in south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
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Pope Francis is greeted by Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of al-Azhar, as he arrives for a meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Mosque of Sakhir Royal Palace, Bahrain. AP Photo
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Pope Francis greets Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb as they attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at Al-Fida' Square of Sakhir Royal Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
Pope Francis is welcomed by girls and boys in traditional dress during a meeting with young people in Sacred Heart School in Manama, Bahrain. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N7RZRRLKGPYYEFLQP6OLH6RY7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c7e797afc473277c516dc62fc83244e526f3b98105b937aea89248412fd56b2&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis is welcomed by girls and boys in traditional dress during a meeting with young people in Sacred Heart School in Manama, Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis arrives for the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Families attend the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Thousands of different age groups attend for the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Families attend the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Worshippers attend a mass held by Pope Francis at Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, near the capital Manama. AFP
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Endurance Ighodalo and Bridget Ighodalo travelled from Saudi Arabia to queue up early for the papal Mass at the Bahrain National Stadium. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWZ4OZROSVGHXHPULGWYLBMTBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=293daf7723e4b49944ff8a9d47d66ab75266b005add2bffc9fc16127f505e2e8&width=400&height=225)
Eucharistic ministers for the early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Early morning Papal mass at Bahrain National Stadium, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Fatima Desouza, 52, shares her joy at seeing Pope Francis when he visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Pope Francis greets his fellow priests at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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It was a unique moment for Roland Gabriel and his wife to watch Pope Francis lead the prayers at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D5RBBI6Y6NG57AOAWKJB6JJDEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b1ed3a7bd8aaee9924c9a0bcbc9e0ca567282a4563fb51e5a4b02c528ed929b&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis greets his fellow priests at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Father Nedumpurath Johnson travelled from Kuwait to hear Pope Francis speak during a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GM53TK6UJBC6HHGOY3A76V54W4.jpg?smart=true&auth=45d4c0e6a7a4884938934a8afbf56b5fc4b03c975aabd595199966b887bb9fb3&width=400&height=225)
Amani Haddad said she cherished the visit of Pope Francis to Bahrain - the second by any Pope to the Gulf region. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FOQILF56DZM23VHGNES57KLLYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9a189c6743d531b34f01874e361d45b43ad77a709a60d9488d355a269626545&width=400&height=225)
This handout photo released by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis attending a prayer meeting at the Sacred Heart Church in the Bahraini capital Manama. AFP
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Pope Francis (L) leads the Angelus prayer at the Sacred Heart Church in Manama, during his official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis shares a lighter moment with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain. Pope Francis's November 3-6 visit is part of his effort to pursue dialogue with the Muslim world. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3UUDPE7KCWFAZRXSKQC4MGEDMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ebffdf91a8a4559a0436f48a4f51d79bacf8aa5b62d21c481462233807444a79&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis leaves after attending a meeting with Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Sakhir Palace, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FTOCPTTIWBCRPP5RH4B4EUMQFE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d6c72ba9b6dd1b5348e4768b3afa022a6ec94e592d639fd051e8729920f6360f&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a farewell ceremony, on the last day of Pope's apostolic journey to Bahrain. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BFS5HI4DEHMBMLAKPBSUH2AP74.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc0d270513cfff6ddf8064293f423a711dd084b3ad2781c8fcf1beefd747fe39&width=400&height=225)
A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa (C) meeting with Pope Francis (L) and Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb (R) at the end of their visit in Manama, Bahrain. EPA
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Pope Francis and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend the closing ceremony of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at the Sakhir Palace, in Sakhir, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X6QIIVKMAYCQKRUHLBOSQDOX7M.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b7a1e1d7ff940c8cf6922a573e4f1882aefc9656f9ae081fc7591c9e7b8395c&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis (C) embraces Bahrain's Grand Imam of al-Azhar mosque Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb as King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa (R) looks on during a ceremony at Sakhir Royal Palace. AFP
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Pope Francis, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at Al-Fida' Square of Sakhir Royal Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PUPVWQWHGEMWMK7KYNQMYXYLMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=137e8c89479c1f8e5fbc4e5a0200f1cfd33bf3408e08a964bd4a32ea5bad1e71&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis (C-L) is escorted by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa (C-R) as he leaves the Royal Palace in the capital Manama. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EMIXV32R67UOVNXX7DDGBZLZM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=024b5a5a59246cb4c0a967346d3b537a437033289645d69de0f6fccbf1625312&width=400&height=225)
Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb look each other as they attend a meeting with members of the council of elders at the courtyard of the Mosque of Sakhir Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, in south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
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Pope Francis is greeted by Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of al-Azhar, as he arrives for a meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Mosque of Sakhir Royal Palace, Bahrain. AP Photo
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Pope Francis greets Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb as they attend the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence at Al-Fida' Square of Sakhir Royal Palace during Pope Francis' apostolic journey, south of Manama, Bahrain. Reuters
‘This is my Pope’: why Pope Francis’s visit to Bahrain struck a chord around the world
From homes in Bahrain, across the Gulf, Europe and India, the faithful track the Pope’s messages
![Ramola Talwar Badam](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5ef0cfa3-a931-4bee-a429-a6e926cfab98.png?smart=true&auth=8bd0c965d9bb14cf66195518e8cc461c939674357be28fde76d5e3597d39b95d&width=70&height=70)
Ramola Talwar Badam
12 November, 2022
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