Pope receives King of Bahrain at Castelgandolfo

(July10,2008): Pope Benedict XVI received King Hamad Bin Isa Al- Khalifa in audience on Wednesday at his summer palace in Castel Gandolfo just outside of Rome. The King also met Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican’s secretary for relations with states, said a statement from the Holy See’s Press Office. The statement read: "In the course of the discussions, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the Vatican authorities had the opportunity to thank the king for the welcome he has shown to many Christian immigrants. Emphasis was given to the shared commitment in favour of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, and to the importance of collaboration between Christians, Muslims and Jews for the promotion -- in the Middle East and throughout the world -- of peace, justice and spiritual and moral values. The Press Office said that Bahrain’s King invited the Holy Father to visit his country."
Bahrain is the smallest of the Gulf countries. It has a population of more than 700,000 inhabitants, 35% of whom are immigrants. Even though the official religion is Islam, there are minority populations of Jews and Christians that enjoy religious liberties.
Bahrain has maintained diplomatic relations with the Vatican since 2000.