This year, as we commemorate the 800 th anniversary of his passing, we do so in a uniquely meaningful context here in the Kingdom of Bahrain—during the Year of Isa Al Kabeer, the architect of modern Bahrain, whose vision and values closely echoed those of Saint Francis: tolerance, compassion, and a deep respect for human dignity.
In this spirit, This Is Bahrain is deeply honoured to collaborate with the Embassy of Italy in Manama to host these unique celebrations—and it is truly our privilege to work alongside H.E. Ambassador Andrea Catalano and his Team on these exciting events planned for later this year here in Bahrain, bringing together history, faith, and shared values in a way that is both timely and timeless.
Today, under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, these timeless values are not only preserved, but actively advanced and elevated on the global stage.Saint Francis was not only a man of prayer, but a man of action—devoting his life to the poor and the underprivileged, restoring dignity to those often forgotten. This same principle is reflected in Bahrain today, where a strong framework of social care ensures support and protection for all members of society, reinforcing the belief that dignity must be universal.He is also revered as the patron saint of animals, and his deep love for all living creatures and nature reflected a profound respect for creation itself. Today, this same spirit is echoed in Bahrain’s growing commitment to environmental protection and sustainability—recognising that care for our natural world is inseparable from care for humanity.Importantly, Saint Francis also believed in the empowerment of women. Through his support of The Poor Clares, founded with Saint Clare of Assisi, he helped establish a path for women to live lives of purpose, devotion, and influence within society.This value finds a clear modern parallel in Bahrain. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Council for Women was established to advance the role of women across all sectors—ensuring their full participation in national development and reinforcing their status as equal partners in shaping the Kingdom’s future.
One of the most powerful moments in the life of Saint Francis came in 1219, during his historic visit to Egypt, where he met with Sultan al-Kamil—an encounter that marked one of the earliest and most courageous examples of interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims. It was a meeting defined not by conflict, but by mutual respect and understanding.
This spirit lives on in Bahrain today. His Majesty has placed interfaith dialogue at the heart of the Kingdom’s identity—creating spaces where faiths come together in peace.
This commitment was powerfully demonstrated in the Kingdom’s hosting of Pope Francis in 2022, a historic visit that brought global attention to Bahrain’s role as a center for dialogue, coexistence, and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims. The events held during that visit stood as a living testament to His Majesty’s vision—one that continues to build bridges across nations, cultures, and religions.
