Pope Francis has embarked on a historic official visit to Bahrain. He noted that populism and extremism pose threats to everyone, emphasizing that Bahrain has always been a place for meeting and communication among various peoples worldwide. He called for ensuring that "basic human rights" are not violated. The papal plane landed at the Al-Sakhir Airbase in the Al-Awaliyah area south of Bahrain around 16:40 local time (13:40 GMT). For the first time since his election in 2013, the 85-year-old Pope did not conduct his usual tour of the journalists on board the plane due to knee pain he has been experiencing lately.
He told journalists while seated: "I would have liked to greet you one by one, but the problem today is that I am in great pain and I have no desire to stroll."
He continued, "It's an interesting trip that will make us think and bring good news."
The Pope was welcomed at the airbase with traditional music while children near the adjacent royal palace greeted him with cheers.
In a speech before Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, senior officials, and diplomats, he discussed issues of respect, tolerance, and religious freedom as stipulated by Bahrain's constitution, stating, "These are commitments that must continually be translated into action, so that religious freedom is complete and not limited to freedom of worship, and so that every group and every person is recognized with equal dignity and equal opportunities, with no discrimination and basic human rights being enhanced."
He added, "I think above all of the right to life, the necessity of guaranteeing it always, even in cases of punishment on some, as their lives cannot be extinguished."
In his address, the Pope called for "ensuring safe and decent working conditions for all," pointing out: "There remains a significant lack of work and much inhumane labor. This does not only pose serious risks in terms of social instability but represents a violation of human dignity."
He further stated: "Work, as precious as bread, is often lacking. Often, it is poisoned bread because it involves slavery."
Yesterday, nine human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, issued a joint statement saying that the Pope should urge Bahraini authorities to "impose a moratorium on the issuance and execution of death sentences." They also called on him to demand "the release of all those imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression."
Ahead of the Pope's arrival, families of 12 death row inmates sent a message urging Pope Francis to call for clemency.
The Pope's visit will last four days and is the first by a pontiff to the Gulf kingdom neighboring Saudi Arabia, with much of the visit dedicated to emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue.
Bahrain, with a population of 1.4 million, established diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 2000. According to the Vatican, around 80,000 Catholics reside there, primarily from Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Western countries.
This marks the Pope's thirty-ninth trip abroad since his election and his second to the Gulf region, following a historic visit to the UAE in 2019. Interfaith dialogue, which he fiercely advocates, will be a focal point of his meetings in Bahrain, along with discussions on human rights, migrant workers, and environmental issues.
The visit aligns with the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue "East and West for Human Coexistence," which commenced on Thursday morning, featuring officials and religious leaders from several countries.
On Friday, the Pope will deliver a speech to members of the "Council of Muslim Elders" at Al-Sakhir Palace Mosque. He will also meet with Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, with whom he signed a historic document on human fraternity in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Abdul Latif Al-Mahmoud, a member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Bahrain, told AFP in Manama, "The meeting of these two religious figures representing Christians and Muslims, I believe, is an honor for Bahrain."
Since his election to the papacy in 2013, Argentine Pope Francis has visited more than ten predominantly Muslim countries, including Jordan, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Bangladesh, Morocco, and Iraq.
