Manama: Bahrain is ready to welcome Pope Francis who is coming for his first visit. The Pope, who is coming to Bahrain at the special invitation of King Hamad, will participate in various events in Bahrain from November 3 to 6. Authorities are preparing to make the Pope’s visit to Bahrain a historic event. The authorities are expecting many people from neighboring countries along with believers from Bahrain. It is believed that the largest number of people arriving in the country will be from Saudi Arabia. At the same time with strict security for the faithful
Procedures are arranged in a hassle-free manner.
Pope Francis, who is on a four-day visit to Bahrain, will attend Mass at the Bahrain National Stadium. 20,000 seats have been set aside for believers of various nationalities living in Bahrain. The remaining 8000 seats are for candidates from other GCC countries and other parts of the world.
The authorities have issued detailed guidelines for those coming to participate in the mass offered at the stadium at 8.30 am on November 5. Everyone including children and adults should carry CPR or passport. Except for the elderly and those with special needs, everyone must reach the Bahrain International Circuit by their own vehicle or taxi. The security check counter will open at 2 am at the circuit. Officials have requested everyone to make sure to arrive on time to avoid rush hour. Those who have registered to participate in the mass have been given tickets divided into green, white, red and blue zones. Devotees arriving at the circuit must proceed to the security counter designated for each zone.
The first bus carrying devotees will leave for the stadium from the parking area of the circuit at 3 am. The gates of the stadium will be closed at 7 o’clock. Therefore, it would be convenient for the devotees to reach the BIC before five o’clock in the morning. Senior citizens, persons with special needs and their carers should arrive at the Polytechnic parking lot in Isa Town with the ticket. After the security check, they will be taken to the designated area of the stadium in special buses.
Registration is ongoing for those who wish to attend Mass at www.sacredheartchurchbahrain.org and http://bahraincathedral.org. The Mass is broadcast live in English and Arabic on local TV channels and on the website www.bahrainpapalvisit.org. This is the first time a Pope has visited Bahrain. This is the Pope’s second visit to the GCC. First visit was to UAE.