Kuwait city: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the visiting Secretary of State of Pope Leo XIV, held an official session of talks.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the session was part of celebrations marking the declaration of the Church of the Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi. This church is recognized as the oldest Catholic church in Kuwait and the Gulf region, a title granted by Pope Leo XIV on June 28, 2025, for its historical and spiritual significance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the designation's uniqueness, reflecting the Church of the Lady of Arabia's role as the mother church in Kuwait. The original chapel was constructed in 1948, with the current building completed in 1957, supported by local donors. Kuwait's principles of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among religions are deeply rooted and enshrined in the Constitution.
The occasion also recalls the historic visit of the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to the Holy See on May 6, 2010, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The visit is part of a series of high-level exchanges, including those by former Prime Ministers in 2009 and 2015.
The official celebration announcing the Minor Basilica status will take place in Ahmadi on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10:00 am local time, presided over by Cardinal Parolin. The visit aims to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and the Vatican, which have maintained diplomatic relations since 1968. The visit reflects Kuwait's traditions of religious coexistence, distinguishing it within the Gulf region.