Cardinal Parolin’s Kuwait visit inspires clergy and faithful to be witnesses of hope as he elevates the Church of Our Lady of Arabia to a Minor Basilica.
Newsroom (16/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, began a two-day pastoral and diplomatic visit to Kuwait on January 15–16, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula. During the visit, he is set to elevate the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi to the distinguished rank of a Minor Basilica—a recognition of the enduring faith and devotion of Catholics living in this predominantly Muslim region.
Meeting with Clergy and Religious
On Thursday, the first day of his stay, Cardinal Parolin met with priests and men and women religious at the Holy Family Co-Cathedral in Kuwait City. He carried with him the greetings and blessing of Pope Leo XIV, extending heartfelt gratitude to those who serve in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia—often far from their homelands and amid challenging pastoral circumstances.
Speaking directly to priests, Cardinal Parolin acknowledged the human limitations of ministry, remarking, “The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts.” He exhorted them to be “priests of love, not of perfection,” emphasizing joy as the fruit of being loved and chosen by God.
Addressing religious men and women, the Cardinal evoked Pope Leo XIV’s call to live consecrated life with the Gospel’s spirit of “Ask, Seek, and Knock.” These, he said, are verbs that define a vocation grounded in dependence on God, constantly seeking His will and embracing His presence as its ultimate fulfillment.
In a region marked by intricate cultural and religious diversity, Cardinal Parolin invited all present to become “prophets of peace and unity.” He stressed that their mission is to embody “true fraternity and unity in Christ,” a living testament in societies where interfaith coexistence is both a challenge and a calling.
Celebration of Holy Mass and 65 Years of Faith
Later in the evening, Cardinal Parolin presided over Mass at the Holy Family Co-Cathedral, celebrating its 65th anniversary. The Co-Cathedral, one of the central pillars of Catholic life in the Gulf, has long served as a house of prayer for thousands of expatriate Christians from Asia, Africa, and beyond.
In his homily, the Cardinal assured the congregation of the Pope’s spiritual closeness to the Catholic community in Kuwait and to all Christians across the Middle East. He highlighted the Vatican’s decision on June 28, 2025, to elevate the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi to a Minor Basilica as a tribute to the deep Marian devotion that animates the faithful in these lands.
Reflecting on Kuwait’s geography—positioned between vast desert and open sea—Cardinal Parolin drew biblical parallels, citing the desert as a symbol of testing and purification and the sea as a sign of vastness and divine movement in salvation history. He described the Co-Cathedral as “an authentic meeting place of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, a safe harbor, and a place of peace and harmony.”
He reminded worshippers that the essence of a church lies not in its architecture but in the living faith of its people. “The true meaning of this temple is not found in its stone walls,” he said, “but in its living stones—the faithful who gather here.”
A Call to Christian Unity
At the conclusion of the Mass, Cardinal Parolin extended greetings to representatives of other Christian Churches and ecclesial communities throughout the Gulf region. His gesture anticipated an upcoming ecumenical encounter connected to the global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
He voiced a hope that the Christian communities of the Arabian Peninsula, through mutual respect and collaboration, might continue offering a model of coexistence that resonates beyond church walls. “May the way Christians live together in mutual welcome and respect,” he said, “serve as an example for wider society.”
- Raju Hamsukh with files form Vatican News
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