Bahrain’s crown prince, Pope Leo XIV discuss dialogue among cultures

Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa discussed cooperation across diverse fields with Pope Leo XIV during a visit to Vatican City State on Monday. (AFP)
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Updated 29 September 2025
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Bahrain’s crown prince, Pope Leo XIV discuss dialogue among cultures

  • Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa says mosques, churches, temples in Bahrain reflect country’s dedication to peace, harmony
  • He emphasizes pope’s role in promoting coexistence, tolerance, compassion, peace, as well as fostering religious understanding, solidarity among faiths

LONDON: Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the crown prince and prime minister of Bahrain, discussed the importance of fostering values of tolerance and coexistence worldwide with Pope Leo XIV during a visit to Vatican City State on Monday.

Prince Salman emphasized Bahrain’s dedication to defending religious freedom and protecting the right to worship. He also underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation across diverse fields, according to the Bahrain News Agency.

He also highlighted that the numerous mosques, churches, and temples in Bahrain reflected the country’s dedication to peace and harmony, as well as its commitment to encouraging dialogue among cultures.

Prince Salman stressed the pope’s role in promoting coexistence, tolerance, compassion, and peace, as well as fostering religious understanding and solidarity among faiths.

Several senior officials also attended the meeting, including Sheikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, minister of the prime minister’s court; Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, minister of foreign affairs; and Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, minister of finance and national economy.


Hamas says will give up arms to a Palestinian authority ‘if occupation ends’

Updated 07 December 2025
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Hamas says will give up arms to a Palestinian authority ‘if occupation ends’

  • “We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hayya says

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Hamas said Saturday it was ready to hand over its weapons in the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian authority governing the territory on the condition that the Israeli army’s occupation ends.
“Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression,” Hamas chief negotiator and its Gaza chief Khalil Al-Hayya said in a statement, adding: “If the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the authority of the state.” Asked by AFP, Hayya’s bureau said he was referring to a sovereign and independent Palestnian state.
“We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hayya added, signalling his group’s rejection of the deployment of an international force in the Strip whose mission would be to disarm it.