Cardinal Parolin visits Kuwait to confer Minor Basilica status on Our Lady of Arabia, marking a historic milestone for Gulf Catholics.
Newsroom (14/01/2026 Gaudium Press) Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is set to arrive in Kuwait on Thursday for a two-day visit that marks a historic moment for the Catholic community in the Arabian Gulf. During his stay, he will confer the title of Minor Basilica on the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi—making it the first Catholic church in the region to receive this distinction.
The Vatican announced the decision on June 28, 2025, confirming that Pope Leo XIV had formally approved the elevation of the church, which is considered the spiritual heart of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. Cardinal Parolin will preside at a solemn Mass to celebrate the occasion and later meet with Kuwait’s civil authorities. According to a post shared by the Secretariat of State on X, the Cardinal will also engage with the local Catholic community at the Holy Family Co-Cathedral in Kuwait City.
A Legacy Rooted in Humble Beginnings
The Church of Our Lady of Arabia, often called the “mother church” of the Northern Vicariate, stands on ground that once housed a modest power station. Its transformation began in December 1948 when Carmelite Fathers, together with Bishop Ubaldo Teofano Stella, converted the site into a temporary chapel.
Recognizing the need for spiritual support among oil industry workers flocking to Kuwait, the Kuwait Oil Company collaborated with Bishop Stella to fund the construction of a permanent church. The result was a sanctuary deeply interwoven with the history of the nation’s labor migration and industrial growth.
Inside the church resides the cherished image of Our Lady of Arabia—originally dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The statue was blessed by Pope Pius XII in 1949 and later crowned by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011, cementing its status as a powerful symbol of Marian devotion across the Arabian Peninsula.
Migrant Faith and Devotion in a Predominantly Muslim Region
Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, described the Basilica as a haven for thousands of migrant workers who seek a place to practice their faith in a region where Christian imagery is rare.
“It is a shrine of great devotion,” said Bishop Berardi. “It is noteworthy that here, in a predominantly Muslim region where such representations are forbidden, there is the presence of a Marian image. I find this profoundly meaningful.”
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Arabia—who serves as the spiritual protector for both the Northern and Southern Vicariates—the faithful celebrate her feast day on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. This year, the celebration will come just two days after Cardinal Parolin confers the Basilica title, adding a deeply symbolic resonance to the occasion.
A Symbol of Peace and Endurance
Through decades of regional change, conflict, and migration, the church has endured as a quiet testament to faith and resilience. Bishop Berardi recalled that during the Iraq–Kuwait war in 1990, the image of Our Lady remained standing within the small church, offering solace to those unable to flee.
“This church is a ‘flower’ in the area,” he reflected. “Even during the war, the image of Our Lady remained as guardian and protector for all those who could not flee.”
The designation of Minor Basilica links the church more closely with the Pope and the See of Rome, recognizing its historical, architectural, and pastoral significance. For Kuwait’s Catholic community, it represents not only papal recognition but also a renewed source of unity and hope in a region where faith blossoms quietly amid diversity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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