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The English liturgy was aimed at South Asian migrant staff who make up the bulk of Gulf Catholics, with prayers in Malay, Tagalog and Tamil and a priest who translated the pope’s homily into English in Spanish.
Pilgrims dressed in white caps waved the yellow and white flags of the Holy See as Francis walked through Bahrain’s national stadium in his popemobile before Mass. A loud ovation erupted when he kissed a young woman dressed in pink who was carrying the vehicle.
According to the Vatican, local organizers estimated that about 30,000 people attended the service. Organizers said passes for the occasion were received within two days of their availability, with pilgrims coming from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Gulf countries.
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“It’s a great honor,” said Bijoy Joseph, an Indian living in Saudi Arabia who was present. “It’s like a blessing for us to be part of our Holy Father’s papal Mass in Bahrain. “
Pope Francis is making the first papal stop in the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia. The main objective is to participate in a government-sponsored interfaith convention to promote Catholic-Muslim dialogue.
But over the next two days, he has to minister to the Catholic community, a minority in the country of about 1. 5 million.
Most are employed from India, Pakistan, the Philippines and other South Asian countries, many of whom have left their families working in the construction, oil extraction and domestic service sectors in Bahrain.
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In his homily, Pope Francis suggested they turn the other cheek, “even when we are hurt. “
“There will be moments of friction, moments of tension, conflicts and opposing points of view, but those who cling to the Prince of Peace will have to fight for peace. And peace cannot be restored if it is answered with a harsh word. with an even harsher word,” he said.
“No, we will have to ‘disarm,’ break the chains of evil, break the spiral of violence, and end resentment, court cases and self-pity. “
Sebastian Fernandez, an Indian living in Bahrain, said he was blessed to be able to attend. “It will be a fruitful Mass and we are pleased to see our pope,” he said.
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After Mass, Pope Francis met with other young people at the School of the Sacred Heart, which dates back to the 1940s and is affiliated with the church of the same name, which was the first Catholic church built in the Gulf.
The pope ends his Sunday by gathering priests and nuns in the church.
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