Pope entrusts Apostolic Journey to Bahrain to Our Lady

By Benedict Mayaki

On the eve of his departure on his 39th Apostolic Journey abroad, Pope Francis paid a visit to the Roman Basilica of Saint Mary Major to entrust his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

According to a statement by the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father spent some time in prayer before an icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani.  The Pope's Wednesday afternoon visit to St. Mary Major marked the 100th time he has visited the Basilica since the start of his pontificate.

Pope Francis is set to depart Rome on Thursday morning on a 4-day Apostolic visit (3 – 6 November). He is scheduled to arrive in the central Bahrain city of Awali around 4: 45 pm local time.

Pope Francis in Bahrain

During his visit to the country, the Holy Father will address the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, a conference that will focus on the theme “East and West for Human Coexistence”.

Upon his arrival in Bahrain on Thursday, the Pope will make a courtesy visit to King Hamad at the Sakhir Royal Palace and meet with Bahrain’s authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps.

On Friday, the Holy Father will attend the closing session of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue. Afterward, he will meet privately with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, then hold an audience with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders.

Later, he will hold an ecumenical meeting and prayer for peace in the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali.

Saturday morning will see Pope Francis presiding at Holy Mass in the Bahrain National Stadium for the country’s Catholic population. He will also meet with the young people at Sacred Heart School later in the day.

The Pope’s Apostolic visit to Bahrain ends on Sunday morning with a prayer meeting with local Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians, and pastoral workers at the Sacred Heart Church in Manama. The Holy Father will then return to Rome aboard the papal plane which is scheduled to arrive at Fiumicino Airport around 5 pm.