Pope thanks King in Vatican prayers; praises Bahrain's preparations for visit

Vatican, Nov. 1 (BNA): His Holiness Pope Francis has thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the visit he will be making to Bahrain on November 3-6 and all those who made it possible. "The day after tomorrow I will leave on an apostolic visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, where I will stay until Sunday," he said as he spoke to the people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus of All Saints. "I would like from now to greet and thank the King, the authorities, the brothers and sisters in faith, and all the people of the country, especially those who have been working for a long time in the preparation for this visit." The Pope said that the 39th apostolic journey, which will take him to Bahrain, would be "a journey under the sign of dialogue" and that he would take part in a forum "centered on the necessity for East and West to meet more closely for human coexistence." "I will have the opportunity to talk to religious representatives, especially Muslims," he said.