Peace at forefront of Pope’s anniversary event in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, May 7: Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar Archbishop Eugene Martin Nugent said the celebration held recently on the occasion of the first anniversary of the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, served as an opportunity to reaffirm the values championed by the Vatican, foremost of which are peace, dialogue and understanding among peoples.

The Vatican Embassy organized the ceremony, with Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Marafi, along with a number of ambassadors and diplomats in attendance. Speaking at the event, Archbishop Nugent pointed out that the first year of the papacy of Pope Leo XIV is enough to define the approach of the Pope. He said the initial messages of the Pope after his election included a clear call for peace and he stressed that dialogue is a source of strength rather than weakness. He disclosed that throughout his first year, the Pope focused on encouraging dialogue between religions and cultures, particularly in conflict areas, in addition to the call for prioritization negotiation and understanding among peoples amid the challenges that the whole world is facing today. He stressed that the occasion was also a chance to meet with friends and representatives of diplomatic missions in the country after almost two months without diplomatic gatherings. He stated that the event is vital in boosting communication and exchanging perspectives.

On the possibility of a papal visit to Kuwait, he disclosed there are no details about such visit at the moment, hoping it will happen soon. He pointed out that the visit of Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Kuwait earlier this year was an important step in strengthening the presence of the Catholic Church, especially after the Our Lady of Arabia Church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica. He confirmed the solidarity of the Holy See with Kuwait during the recent circumstances, praising the wisdom of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. He also commended the performance and efforts exerted by various government entities, particularly the frontliners in the Kuwait Army, police and medical teams.

On the relationship of the Vatican with Islamic countries, he asserted that Pope Leo XIV demonstrated openness toward the Islamic world through visits to several countries, including Algeria, which he described as a historic milestone that reinforced interfaith dialogue, fraternity and mutual respect. He emphasized that these initiatives refl ect the commitment of the Vatican to promote peaceful coexistence and build bridges of communication among different religions, asserting that faith, when practiced sincerely, serves as a force for unity rather than division. He said Kuwait is a model of interfaith coexistence, where hundreds of thousands of Catholics live and work in an atmosphere of mutual respect, contributing to various sectors like healthcare, education and services in support of the development of the country. He then expressed the appreciation of the Holy See for the leadership and people of Kuwait, wishing continuous security, stability and prosperity for the country. He added that the occasion extends beyond a symbolic celebration to embody the message of international peace and fraternity.

By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff