Celebrating Bahrain’s Heritage Through the Catholic Church

Since 1939, the Catholic Church has held a visible and respected place in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s religious and cultural landscape. That year marked the construction of the Sacred Heart Church in Manama—the first modern Catholic church in the Arabian Gulf—built on land graciously donated by Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Ruler of Bahrain from 1923 to 1942. His gesture planted the seeds of a lasting tradition of religious tolerance and interfaith openness that continues to define the Kingdom today.

Now home to more than 140,000 Catholics, Bahrain has one of the most active Catholic communities in the Gulf region. While a small number of native Bahraini Christians remain, the majority of the Catholic population are expatriates from India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, and Western nations. The country also hosts vibrant Eastern Catholic communities, such as the Syro-Malabar Society and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Community.

Bahrain’s commitment to religious freedom was reaffirmed with the construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali—now the largest Catholic church in the Arabian Peninsula. Built on land donated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa following a request from Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, the 9,000-square-meter cathedral was inaugurated in 2021 and serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, led by Bishop Aldo Berardi.

A historic milestone occurred in November 2022, when Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit Bahrain. His four-day visit, centered around the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence, featured high-level interfaith meetings, an ecumenical prayer at the cathedral, and a public Mass at Bahrain National Stadium. The visit was celebrated globally as a triumph for interreligious harmony.

Tolerance in Bahrain is not a transient slogan or a performative brand. It is a deeply rooted cultural ethos—woven into the very fabric of Bahraini identity. The spirit of coexistence is not seasonal; it is sustained by generations of leadership and embraced by the people. This enduring value—often referred to as the essence of “Bahrainism”—has enabled the Kingdom to maintain its status as a model for unity in diversity, where every community can feel respected and at home.

In May 2025, following the election of Pope Robert Prevost (Leo XIV) as the new Supreme Pontiff, Bahrain once again affirmed its strong ties with the Vatican. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a congratulatory cable to the Pope, wishing him success and praising the Vatican’s role in advancing peace, human fraternity, and intercultural dialogue. His Majesty emphasized Bahrain’s dedication to strengthening its historical relationship with the Holy See in support of love, harmony, and global stability.

Likewise, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also extended his congratulations, reflecting the Kingdom’s high regard for the Catholic Church and its leadership.

Now, with a new Pope at the helm, anticipation is growing among Bahrain’s Catholic community for a potential second papal visit. While no official plans have been announced, Bahrain’s legacy of inclusion, its diplomatic rapport with the Vatican, and its world-class religious infrastructure—rooted in the generosity of rulers past and present—make it a natural choice for further papal outreach.

As the Catholic Church continues to thrive in Bahrain, the Kingdom remains a regional symbol of coexistence, where faith and diversity are embraced—not merely tolerated—under the guidance of leadership that has valued unity across generations.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)