ROME — Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent on Thursday a written message to Pope Francis, the Pope of the Vatican, inviting him to visit the country.

The message delivered by the Advisor to the King for Diplomatic Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

This came as Pope Francis received, at the Vatican today, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who conveyed to him the greetings of the King, as well as Kings’s wishes for abundant health and wellness to him.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed expressed King Hamad’s appreciation of the pivotal and prominent role played by Pope Francis in establishing and promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding among various cultures and civilisations, as well as in spreading the values of human fraternity and coexistence among all.

He affirmed the King’s support for the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together and the lofty principles embedded in it, stressing the importance of building on that document in order to ensure a more prosperous future for the entire humanity.

Pope Francis requested Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed to convey his greetings to King Hamad, and his sincere thanks to the King for the kind invitation to visit the kingdom which he loves and appreciates.

Pope Francis asserted that the invitation embodies Bahrain’s status as a role model for openness and coexistence among all its social segments.

He expressed appreciation for King Hamad’s wisdom and constant keenness to foster the culture of dialogue and tolerance, praising the King’s initiatives aimed at consolidating and spreading the principles of coexistence and fraternity among all countries and peoples.