Gulf's 2,300-Seat Catholic Cathedral Visited by Italian PM Meloni Post-GCC Summit

Following the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, Bahrain, on December 3, 2025. Meloni stated in a social media post, > "Al termine del Vertice del Consiglio di Cooperazione del Golfo, ho visitato ad Awali - in Bahrein - la Cattedrale di Nostra Signora d’Arabia, sede del Vicariato Apostolico dell’Arabia settentrionale. Si tratta della Chiesa cattolica più grande del Golfo. Il progetto della Cattedrale, vincitore di un concorso internazionale, è stato realizzato da un team di architetti coordinato da due italiani." Her visit highlighted Bahrain's commitment to religious coexistence and strengthened Italy's diplomatic engagement with the Gulf region.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, dedicated on December 10, 2021, serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, encompassing Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. With a seating capacity of 2,300, it stands as the largest Catholic church in the Arabian Peninsula. The land for the cathedral was a gift from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2013, symbolizing Bahrain's traditions of religious tolerance.

The cathedral's distinctive tent-like design was conceived by a team of architects coordinated by Italians Mattia Del Prete and Cristiano Rosponi. This architectural choice alludes to the "tent of meeting" from the Old Testament, a significant biblical reference. The structure stands as a testament to Bahrain's diverse cultural landscape and its efforts to foster interfaith dialogue, a principle praised by Meloni during her visit.

Prime Minister Meloni's visit to the cathedral was part of a broader diplomatic engagement that included her rare attendance as a guest of honor at the 46th GCC Summit in Manama. Her participation underscored Italy's strategic interest in deepening economic cooperation and strengthening its role as a key interlocutor between Europe and the Gulf. Meloni emphasized Italy's support for regional stability and expanded economic and technological cooperation.

During her visit, Meloni praised Bahrain's commitment to freedom of belief, coexistence, and interfaith dialogue under the leadership of King Hamad. The King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance organized the event, further highlighting Bahrain's proactive role in promoting peace and mutual respect among communities. The cathedral itself is seen as a prominent religious and civil landmark reflecting this spirit of openness.