Manama, November 6 (BNA) His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the days he spent in Bahrain and thanked His Majesty the King and the government for the hospitality.
“I would now like to say ‘thank you’ for these days together,” Pope Francis said at the Prayer with Angels meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers at the Sacred Heart Basilica in the capital, Manama.
“With a heart full of gratitude, I bless you all, especially those who have worked to prepare for this journey. As these are my last public words, I thank His Majesty and the authorities of this country for their hospitality.”
The Pope also praised the diversity he faced during his historic four-day visit to Bahrain on November 3 and 6 at the invitation of His Majesty the King, in conjunction with the Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence.
“The diversity – as I have seen it these days – is a mirror of this country, of the people who inhabit here, but also of its landscape which, although mostly desert, boasts a rich variety of plants and living creatures,” he said in his last public appearance on his visit. To Bahrain, his thirty-ninth apostolic voyage.
In his meeting, Pope Francis stressed the importance of credibility and respect during dialogue with others in multi-religious and multicultural societies.
“In order to be honest when we converse with others, let us live in brotherhood among ourselves. Let us do it in our societies, and value each person’s talents without humiliating anyone,” he said.
“Let us do it in our religious homes, as living signs of harmony and peace. Let us do it in our families, so that the secret bond of love may appear daily in service and tolerance. Let us do it in the multi-religious and multicultural societies in which we find ourselves as tireless promoters of dialogue and weavers of fellowship with our brothers Our sisters are of other faiths and sects.”
Chris Noronhia, one of the many in attendance, said they had been eagerly awaiting the Pope’s arrival since the news of his visit to Bahrain was announced.
“I know I am fortunate to have grown up here in the Kingdom of Bahrain, where religious tolerance and freedom are a way of life,” she said.
Sister Rose Celine, a member of the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, said they have been active for the past two decades.
“We started our missionary journey in the Kingdom of Bahrain on January 3, 2003. Bahrain, known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, warmly welcomed us,” she said.