Bahrain–Vatican relations highlight shared commitment to coexistence, dialogue among religions
Manama, Sep. 27 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Vatican City State share a longstanding partnership grounded in common humanitarian values and principles that promote coexistence, tolerance, and dialogue among religions and cultures. This partnership has been strengthened under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, positioning Bahrain as a regional and international centre for peace and mutual understanding.
In this context, the upcoming official visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the Vatican City State to meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV represents a new step in advancing bilateral ties and continuing cooperation in support of the values of peace and coexistence embraced by all faiths and cultures.
Bahrain is held in high esteem by the Vatican for its record of protecting and respecting all religions and beliefs, and for its alignment with the Vatican on promoting noble goals that serve humanity. These shared values have been key to strengthening relations and raising them to advanced levels.
His Majesty the King’s visit to the Vatican in November 1999, the first year of his reign, and his meeting with the late Pope John Paul II, reflected His Majesty’s vision of building bridges of communication and cooperation between East and West. His Majesty’s subsequent visit to the Vatican in May 2014, at the invitation of His Holiness Pope Francis, emphasised the depth of relations and expanded the scope of dialogue and cooperation.
In February 2020, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister visited the Vatican, where he met the late Pope Francis. During the meeting, His Royal Highness expressed Bahrain’s appreciation for the Pope’s efforts in advancing mutual understanding, tolerance, and universal human values shared across faiths and civilisations.
Relations have also been reinforced by visits from Vatican officials. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, visited Bahrain on May 19, 2014. In December 2016, Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla, the Apostolic Nuncio accredited to Bahrain and resident in the state of Kuwait, led a delegation visit to the Kingdom. Both visits underscored the advanced level of relations and the joint commitment to promoting noble humanitarian values that foster peace, coexistence, and fraternity among peoples.
In November 2022, at the invitation of His Majesty the King, the late Pope Francis made a historic visit to Bahrain. During the visit, His Majesty met the Pontiff, who also participated in the “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence,” alongside His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, as well as religious leaders from around the world. The event further consolidated Bahrain’s role as a global hub for dialogue, rapprochement, and tolerance.
The visit was deeply appreciated by His Majesty the King, who underlined its profound significance, noting the worldwide respect and admiration accorded to the Pontiff and his valued efforts in advancing peace and understanding. His Majesty emphasised that the visit would leave a lasting moral and spiritual impact on the peoples of the Gulf and Arab region. His Majesty also highlighted the Pope’s distinguished personal qualities, exceptional leadership, and steadfast faith, which align with Bahrain’s commitment to dialogue and communication among followers of divine religions, guided by principles of truth and reform.
His Majesty also visited the Vatican in October 2023, where discussions focused on advancing peace and interfaith coexistence and continuing joint cultural initiatives, including cooperation between the King Hamad Digital Library and the Vatican Apostolic Library.
Reflecting Bahrain’s deep rooted heritage and humanitarian values, the Kingdom participated in the inauguration ceremony of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV with an official delegation on behalf of His Majesty the King, led by His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister of the Court of the Prime Minister. Leaders and delegations from around 200 countries attended the event.
The ties between Bahrain and the Vatican extend beyond diplomatic representation and official visits. They reflect a consistent approach pursued by Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, to place humanitarian values at the heart of its international relations and to contribute actively to global efforts promoting peace, human fraternity, and a culture of dialogue and tolerance among all peoples.
