The Pope presided over a Mass this Saturday morning at the National Stadium of Bahrain, located in the city of Riffa, where he addressed thousands of people as part of his third day of visit to the Middle Eastern country.
During his speech, the pontiff thanked those present for their «sweet and joyful witness of fraternity» and for the peace dedicated to the land of Bahrain.
«To you who have come to this celebration from the four countries of the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia — which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia — and from other countries of the Gulf, today I bring you the affection and closeness of the Universal Church,» he said, according to Vatican News.
Francis described the region as a «living image of the coexistence of diversity,» of a world «increasingly marked» by the permanent migration of peoples and by the pluralism of ideas, customs and traditions.
In this sense, he recalled that God asks for commitment to live universal brotherhood «in a concrete and courageous way», persevering in the good even when evil is received, breaking also «the spiral of revenge, demilitarizing the heart».
«Jesus sees and suffers seeing in our days, in many parts of the world, exercises of power that feed on oppression and violence, that try to increase their own space by restricting that of others, imposing their own dominion», the Pope reiterated, according to the above-mentioned newspaper.
Francis, who will remain in the island kingdom located between Saudi Arabia and Iran until Sunday, pointed out that this is a visit «for dialogue». In this way, he explained that he will participate in the Forum for Dialogue between East and West, in which the need for «the West and the East to meet for the good of all» will be highlighted.
During his trip, the Pope met with various religious leaders of Islam, such as the Imam of Al Azhar in Bahrain, the most prestigious institution of Sunni Islam.
