Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, begins today, Thursday, January 15, his visit to Kuwait, which will extend until tomorrow, Friday 16. The official program released by the Secretariat of State includes courtesy visits to civil authorities, a stop at the Grand Mosque and at the Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah (Islamic Antiquities Museum), in addition to two Eucharistic celebrations: this afternoon at the Co-Cathedral of the Holy Family on the 65th anniversary of its consecration and tomorrow at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Arabia, in Ahmadi, on the occasion of its elevation to minor basilica.
Itinerary
Today’s schedule includes, first of all, courtesy visits to the civil authorities of Kuwait. Afterwards, Parolin will visit the Grand Mosque and the Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah, a museum dedicated to Islamic antiquities.
Later, a meeting with the clergy and religious men and women is scheduled at the Co-Cathedral of the Holy Family, and the Mass in the same temple on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of its consecration.
Tomorrow, Parolin will celebrate the Mass at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Arabia, in Ahmadi, on the occasion of its elevation to minor basilica.
A Minority Church in the Gulf
Kuwait is part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, which also includes Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In these countries, Catholics are a minority—mostly immigrant workers—and ecclesial life is organized around a few parishes and pastoral centers. The presence of the Secretary of State has diplomatic and pastoral weight: it strengthens the visibility of the local Catholic community and consolidates channels of relationship with the country’s authorities.