A Closer Look is The National's show where we take a more in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.
Pope Francis will visit Bahrain from November 3 to 6, in a landmark moment for the Arabian Gulf.
It will be the pontiff's second visit to the Arabian Peninsula, after a trip to Abu Dhabi in 2019.
The highlight will be an open air Mass for 28,000 Catholics at Bahrain's national stadium on November 5.
Rory Reynolds and Ramola Talwar Badam look ahead to the occasion.
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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
