Vatican City: The Kingdom of Bahrain's longstanding commitment to coexistence, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue was prominently displayed as an official delegation, led by His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, attended the inauguration of His Holiness Pope Robert Prevost (Leo XIV) in Vatican City.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the delegation joined leaders and representatives from approximately 200 countries at St. Peter's Square, underscoring Bahrain's active engagement on the global stage and its enduring connection with the Holy See. Bahrain and the Vatican formalized diplomatic relations in January 2000, fostering a partnership built on mutual respect, humanitarian values, and a shared vision for peace. Over the years, both entities have collaborated to promote harmony among individuals of diverse religions, cultures, and ethnicities, encouraging constructive dialogue between Muslims and Christians.
The relationship between Bahrain and the Vatican saw significant growth during the papacy of the late Pope Francis, who passed away on April 26. This period witnessed numerous high-level exchanges, including reciprocal visits by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and senior Vatican officials. The historic 2022 visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Bahrain, where he participated in the "Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence" alongside Grand Imam of Al Azhar Professor Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, marked a milestone in advancing dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Following Pope Francis's passing, His Majesty the King expressed deep appreciation for the late pontiff's efforts to promote dialogue, human fraternity, and tolerance. His Majesty praised Pope Francis's advocacy for just causes and his rejection of conflict and war, highlighting the global respect he earned throughout his papacy.
Bahrain has welcomed the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, extending best wishes for his success and expressing hope for even stronger ties with the Vatican in support of global peace, harmony, and stability. Under the leadership of His Majesty the King, and with the support of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Bahrain has launched a series of pioneering humanitarian initiatives that reinforce its regional position in promoting dialogue and tolerance. Initiatives such as the internationally recognised King Hamad Award for Coexistence, the work of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance, and the establishment of the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue at Sapienza University in Italy, underscore Bahrain's commitment to advancing coexistence and cultural understanding while rejecting extremism and hate.
Bahrain has also called for an international convention to criminalise hate speech based on religion, sect, or race, further demonstrating its dedication to peace and prosperity for all humanity.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Illinois, Chicago in 1955, is the first American to serve as pontiff and the 267th in the Church's history. His Holiness was elected by the College of Cardinals on May 8 to serve as the Supreme Pontiff, President of the Synod of Bishops, and Bishop of Rome. In his first address to the diplomatic corps at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of coexistence and peace championed by his predecessor, emphasizing the need for genuine dialogue to eliminate the root causes of conflict.