Statement by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni (28.09.2022)
Accepting the invitation of the civil and ecclesial authorities, Pope Francis will make the announced Apostolic Journey to Bahrain from 3 to 6 November this year, visiting the cities of Manama and Awali on the occasion of the “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence”
Schedule
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
to the KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
on the occasion of the “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence”
3 – 6 NOVEMBER 2022
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Thursday, 3 November 2022
ROME – AWALI
9:30 Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Awali
16:45 Arrival at Sakhir Air Base in Awali
16:45 Official Welcome
17:30 Courtesy visit to His Majesty the King of Bahrain at Sakhir Royal Palace
18:10 Welcome Ceremony in the courtyard of Sakhir Royal Palace
18:30 Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps
Friday, 4 November 2022
AWALI
10:00 Closing of the “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence” at Al-Fida’ Square of Sakhir Royal Palace
16:00 Private meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in the Papal Residence within the grounds of Sakhir Royal Palace
16:30 Meeting with the Members of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Mosque of Sakhir Royal Palace
17:45 Ecumenical meeting and Prayer For Peace in Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral
Saturday 5, November 2022
AWALI
8:30 Holy Mass at Bahrain National Stadium
17:00 Meeting with the Youth in Sacred Heart School
Sunday, 6 November 2022
AWALI – MANAMA – AWALI – ROME
9:30 Prayer Meeting and Angelus with Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons, Seminarians and Pastoral Workers in Sacred Heart Church in Manama
12:30 Farewell Ceremony at Sakhir Air Base in Awali
13:00 Departure by airplane from Sakhir Air Base to Rome
17:00 Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino International Airport
Time zones
Rome + 1h UTC
Awali + 3h UTC
Manama + 3h UTC
THEME: “Peace on earth to people of goodwill” (cf. Lk 2:14)
The logo consists of the flags of the Kingdom of Bahrain and of the Holy See, represented in a stylized form, as two hands open towards God, which also symbolizes the commitment of peoples and nations to encounter each other free from prejudice and in a spirit of openness as “brothers and sisters”.
The fruit of fraternal encounter is peace, which is symbolized by the olive branch portrayed in the middle of the “two hands”.
The words “Pope Francis” are coloured blue to show that the Apostolic Journey is entrusted to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is venerated as “Our Lady of Arabia”, and is the patroness of the Cathedral, which is a gift of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Catholic Church in the country.
The theme of the Visit, “Peace on earth to people of goodwill”, is inspired by the words sung by the angels in the narrative of the Lord’s birth in Luke’s Gospel.
Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 6 October 2022
