by Aldo Berardi*, O.SS.T.

Manama – How can we begin to describe the life of this extraordinary pastor? Letters are pouring in from all over the world praising his witness: a witness of humility, courage, justice, and love. With his deep compassion, openness to others, and profoundly simple life, he touched the hearts of millions of people. He was a man of peace. Pope Francis was a tireless messenger of peace. He repeatedly called for an end to war and urged the world to lay down its weapons and seek dialogue. He stood alongside the suffering and displaced, giving a voice to those silenced by conflict.

In our region, marked by numerous tensions, we remember with gratitude how he stopped to pray before the wall that divides the Palestinian people. Since the recent flare-up of the conflict, he has called every day to the community of Gaza, a father who never abandons his children. Until his last Easter message, he proclaimed with conviction: Peace is possible. Silence the weapons!

He was a man of dialogue and listening. Pope Francis was deeply committed to dialogue, not just as a diplomatic gesture, but as a way of life rooted in the Gospel. He worked tirelessly to meet people from all walks of life in order to listen, understand, and move forward together. His pastoral visits around the world were never mere ceremonies: they were encounters, especially with religious leaders. Our region has been blessed by two visits from Pope Francis. The people of Bahrain will never forget his memorable visit in November 2022. He met with religious leaders, participated in the interfaith meeting organized by the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, and held a dialogue with the Islamic Council of Elders. He also visited the Sacred Heart School and Sacred Heart Church in Manama and our cathedral in Awali, always with the same message: We are one human family under God.

He was a man of justice. Pope Francis did not shy away from raising his voice in defense of human dignity. He denounced the structures of sin that lead to poverty and exclusion. He reminded the world that societies cannot be called just if they forget the poor. Our region is a place of economic dynamism, but also of inequality. His prophetic words challenge us to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of progress.

He was a man of prayer and his relationship with God was central to his life. Pope Francis was a man of deep prayer. Whether in large basilicas or quiet chapels, he was always rooted in the love of Christ: a love he received from his family, nourished during his religious life, and faithfully carried forward during his Petrine ministry. Our region is also a region of prayer. Christians, Muslims, and believers of other traditions live to the rhythm of prayer and sacred time. Pope Francis reminded us that prayer opens us to God and to one another.

He was a man of the Gospel. The Gospel was the foundation of Pope Francis’ life. He proclaimed the living Christ with joy, courage, and mercy. Through his words and deeds, he bore witness to the Resurrection, not as a distant memory, but as a living and present reality that continues to transform hearts and societies. Here on the Arabian Peninsula, we strive to live according to the same Gospel, to be faithful witnesses of Christ in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities. Pope Francis has inspired us in this mission by urging us never to be afraid to bring the light of the risen Lord to others. He has reminded us that even in the most hidden corners of the world, the Good News must be lived and proclaimed with humility and love.

Pope Francis had a strong bond with Bahrain. Since His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa invited him to visit the Kingdom, a sincere friendship blossomed, characterized by mutual respect and shared commitment. The two leaders met on several occasions, including numerous visits to the Vatican, deepening a bond based on a shared vision of peace, fraternity, and human dignity. His Holiness looked upon Bahrain with admiration, recognizing its efforts to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among its diverse communities. His Majesty, in turn, always spoke of Pope Francis with deep reverence. Their friendship has become a symbol of what is possible when dialogue, respect, and goodwill guide encounters between peoples and faiths. In their unique roles, Pope Francis and King Hamad have offered the world a model of dialogue that is not only possible but necessary for a more humane, just, and united global family.

The legacy of this friendship is also reflected in their respective statements. The papal encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti remain cornerstones of Pope Francis’ call to preserve creation and promote a global culture of solidarity. These themes are closely linked to the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain, issued by King Hamad on July 3, 2017, which calls for religious tolerance, the rejection of extremism, and peaceful coexistence. Their powerful message reflects the convictions of Pope Francis. This shared vision was reaffirmed internationally when the United Nations, at Bahrain’s initiative, declared January 28 as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.

For us, Pope Francis was more than a global figure or the leader of the Catholic Church. He was a spiritual father, chosen by God to strengthen his brothers and sisters in faith, a faith handed down by Jesus Christ through the Apostles. He was our Shepherd and our Brother, he walked among us, encouraged us in our trials, and embraced each of us with the tender love of the Gospel. Let us keep his memory alive in our hearts. Let us carry on his legacy of mercy, peace, and fraternity. And let us pray that he may now rest in the eternal embrace of the Lord whom he served with joy.

*Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabiaby Aldo Berardi*, O.SS.T.Manama – How can we begin to describe the life of this extraordinary pastor? Letters are pouring in from all over the world praising his witness: a witness of humility, courage, justice, and love. With his deep compassion, openness to others, and profoundly simple life, he touched the hearts of millions of people. He was a man of peace. Pope Francis was a tireless messenger of peace. He repeatedly called for an end to war and urged the world to lay down its weapons and seek dialogue. He stood alongside the suffering and displaced, giving a voice to those silenced by conflict.In our region, marked by numerous tensions, we remember with gratitude how he stopped to pray before the wall that divides the Palestinian people. Since the recent flare-up of the conflict, he has called every day to the community of Gaza, a father who never abandons his children. Until his last Easter message, he proclaimed with conviction: Peace is possible. Silence the weapons! He was a man of dialogue and listening. Pope Francis was deeply committed to dialogue, not just as a diplomatic gesture, but as a way of life rooted in the Gospel. He worked tirelessly to meet people from all walks of life in order to listen, understand, and move forward together. His pastoral visits around the world were never mere ceremonies: they were encounters, especially with religious leaders. Our region has been blessed by two visits from Pope Francis. The people of Bahrain will never forget his memorable visit in November 2022. He met with religious leaders, participated in the interfaith meeting organized by the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, and held a dialogue with the Islamic Council of Elders. He also visited the Sacred Heart School and Sacred Heart Church in Manama and our cathedral in Awali, always with the same message: We are one human family under God.He was a man of justice. Pope Francis did not shy away from raising his voice in defense of human dignity. He denounced the structures of sin that lead to poverty and exclusion. He reminded the world that societies cannot be called just if they forget the poor. Our region is a place of economic dynamism, but also of inequality. His prophetic words challenge us to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of progress.He was a man of prayer and his relationship with God was central to his life. Pope Francis was a man of deep prayer. Whether in large basilicas or quiet chapels, he was always rooted in the love of Christ: a love he received from his family, nourished during his religious life, and faithfully carried forward during his Petrine ministry. Our region is also a region of prayer. Christians, Muslims, and believers of other traditions live to the rhythm of prayer and sacred time. Pope Francis reminded us that prayer opens us to God and to one another.He was a man of the Gospel. The Gospel was the foundation of Pope Francis’ life. He proclaimed the living Christ with joy, courage, and mercy. Through his words and deeds, he bore witness to the Resurrection, not as a distant memory, but as a living and present reality that continues to transform hearts and societies. Here on the Arabian Peninsula, we strive to live according to the same Gospel, to be faithful witnesses of Christ in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities. Pope Francis has inspired us in this mission by urging us never to be afraid to bring the light of the risen Lord to others. He has reminded us that even in the most hidden corners of the world, the Good News must be lived and proclaimed with humility and love.Pope Francis had a strong bond with Bahrain. Since His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa invited him to visit the Kingdom, a sincere friendship blossomed, characterized by mutual respect and shared commitment. The two leaders met on several occasions, including numerous visits to the Vatican, deepening a bond based on a shared vision of peace, fraternity, and human dignity. His Holiness looked upon Bahrain with admiration, recognizing its efforts to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among its diverse communities. His Majesty, in turn, always spoke of Pope Francis with deep reverence. Their friendship has become a symbol of what is possible when dialogue, respect, and goodwill guide encounters between peoples and faiths. In their unique roles, Pope Francis and King Hamad have offered the world a model of dialogue that is not only possible but necessary for a more humane, just, and united global family. The legacy of this friendship is also reflected in their respective statements. The papal encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti remain cornerstones of Pope Francis’ call to preserve creation and promote a global culture of solidarity. These themes are closely linked to the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain, issued by King Hamad on July 3, 2017, which calls for religious tolerance, the rejection of extremism, and peaceful coexistence. Their powerful message reflects the convictions of Pope Francis. This shared vision was reaffirmed internationally when the United Nations, at Bahrain’s initiative, declared January 28 as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.For us, Pope Francis was more than a global figure or the leader of the Catholic Church. He was a spiritual father, chosen by God to strengthen his brothers and sisters in faith, a faith handed down by Jesus Christ through the Apostles. He was our Shepherd and our Brother, he walked among us, encouraged us in our trials, and embraced each of us with the tender love of the Gospel. Let us keep his memory alive in our hearts. Let us carry on his legacy of mercy, peace, and fraternity. And let us pray that he may now rest in the eternal embrace of the Lord whom he served with joy. *Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia 

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