Bahrain prepares for visit of Pope Francis - in pictures
Pope Francis, left, speaks with Bahrain's King Hamad during their meeting in the capital Manama. The Pope is making the November 3-6 visit to participate in a government-sponsored conference on East-West dialogue and to minister to Bahrain's small Catholic community. AFP
Pope Francis laughs during a meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis attends a meeting at Sakhir Palace during his visit to Bahrain. Reuters
Pope Francis speaks with Bahrain's King Hamad as he arrives in the country. AP
Pope Francis, Bahrain's King Hamad and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad attend a welcome ceremony at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
The pontiff arrives at Sakhir Palace. Reuters
Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad arrives to welcome Pope Francis to the country. Reuters
Schoolchildren prepare to welcome Pope Francis at Sakhir Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Preparations at Sakhir Palace for the arrival of Pope Francis. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Schoolchildren welcome the Pope to Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Schoolchildren wave flags to welcome the pontiff. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A marching band practises at Sakhir Palace before the arrival of Pope Francis. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Preparations at Sakhir Palace for the arrival of Pope Francis. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Schoolchildren prepare to welcome the Pope on the grounds of Sakhir Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A marching band practises at Sakhir Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
View of the sunset at Sakhir Palace as the Pope arrives in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Representatives of various religions attend the interfaith Bahrain Forum for Dialogue in the capital Manama, hours before the arrival of Pope Francis. AFP
Representatives of various faiths attend the interfaith conference. AFP
Representatives of different faiths attend the conference. AFP
A Muslim cleric attends the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue in the capital Manama. AFP
Pope Francis boards a plane at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport on Thursday for his visit to Bahrain. AP
An Airbus A330-202 with the Pope on board prepares to take off from Rome for the four-day trip to Bahrain. AFP
Pope Francis, seated on a wheelchair, is lifted on a platform to board the plane. AFP
The main stage where Mass will be held at Bahrain National Stadium during Pope Francis's visit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The main stage. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Preparations in progress for the Pope's visit to Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Bahrain National Stadium. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Workers making arrangements at the stadium. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Sacred Heart School ahead of Pope Francis's visit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Arrangements inside the Cathedral of our Lady of Arabia for the visit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Photos of Pope Francis and rulers of Bahrain at Cathedral of our Lady of Arabia. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Signs at the main entrance of the Cathedral of our Lady of Arabia. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Outside the Sacred Heart School. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Workers make last minute preparations at Bahrain National Stadium, where Pope Francis will hold a public Mass during his three-day visit to Manama, Bahrain. All photos from this image onwards: Reuters
Workers prepare for the papal visit.
A vendor shows a coffee mug made to celebrate Pope Francis's visit, at a souvenir stand at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manama.
Last minute preparations at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, one of the places Pope Francis will visit.
Last minute preparations at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manama.
Last minute preparations at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manama.
Last minute preparations at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manama.
Last minute preparations at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manama.
