Cardinal Parolin to visit Kuwait for historic Minor Basilica proclamation; sacred milestone for Gulf

• Kuwait occupies a unique place in the Holy See’s relations with the Gulf. It was the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 1968 and to host an Apostolic Nunciature.
• Over the decades, Kuwait has been widely recognized for its openness, hospitality, and respect for religious coexistence, values that are highly appreciated by the Holy See.
• While the visit is centered on Kuwait, its significance extends across the region. The Vatican views the new Minor Basilica as a spiritual beacon for Catholics throughout the Gulf and a symbol of dialogue, coexistence, and mutual respect in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.
• The visit also carries strong interreligious dimensions. The Holy See has consistently emphasized the importance of dialogue with the Islamic world and values Kuwait’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths.
• During his visit, Cardinal Parolin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with senior Kuwaiti officials, aimed at reaffirming and strengthening the cordial relations and cooperation between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait.

The State of Kuwait is preparing to welcome His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on an official visit from January 14 to 16 2026, in a landmark event for the Catholic community in the country and the wider Gulf region.

Cardinal Parolin, the Holy See’s highest-ranking diplomatic representative, will lead the Vatican delegation during the visit, which coincides with the celebrations marking the proclamation of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi as a Minor Basilica.

He will preside over the solemn proclamation ceremony on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in his capacity as Principal Celebrant.

The elevation of the Church of Our Lady of Arabia to Minor Basilica status represents a historic milestone, as it is the first Minor Basilica in the Arabian Peninsula.

The title is granted by the Pope in recognition of historical, spiritual, and pastoral importance of the church, and reflects a special bond with the Bishop of Rome.

Minor Basilicas are called to be exemplary centers of prayer, liturgical life, and hospitality.

The Church of Our Lady of Arabia holds deep significance for Catholics in Kuwait and the Gulf region. Often described as the “mother church” of Kuwait, its roots date back to 1948 when the first chapel was established.

The present church building was completed in 1957 as a gift from the Kuwait Oil Company and has since served generations of worshippers from diverse nationalities, becoming a spiritual home for the Catholic faithful in the region.

Kuwait occupies a unique place in the Holy See’s relations with the Gulf. It was the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 1968 and to host an Apostolic Nunciature.

Over the decades, Kuwait has been widely recognized for its openness, hospitality, and respect for religious coexistence, values that are highly appreciated by the Holy See.

While the visit is centered on Kuwait, its significance extends across the region. The Vatican views the new Minor Basilica as a spiritual beacon for Catholics throughout the Gulf and a symbol of dialogue, coexistence, and mutual respect in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.

During his stay, Cardinal Parolin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with senior Kuwaiti officials, aimed at reaffirming and strengthening the cordial relations and cooperation between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait.

These meetings reflect the shared commitment to dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding.

The visit also carries strong interreligious dimensions. The Holy See has consistently emphasized the importance of dialogue with the Islamic world and values Kuwait’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths.

The proclamation of a Minor Basilica in the region is seen as a powerful sign of shared human values and mutual respect.

Through this visit, the Vatican seeks to convey a message of friendship, gratitude, and hope. It reaffirms appreciation for Kuwait’s openness and its care for the diverse communities living within its borders, while assuring Catholics in the Gulf that they are an integral and cherished part of the universal Church.

The solemn proclamation ceremony at the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi is expected to draw clergy, diplomats, and worshippers from across the region, marking a historic chapter in the spiritual life of Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula.

His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is one of the most senior and experienced figures in the Catholic Church’s diplomatic and ecclesiastical leadership. Born in Schiavon, in the province of Vicenza, Italy, on 17 January 1955, Cardinal Parolin has dedicated his life to pastoral ministry, international diplomacy and service to the universal Church.

Ordained to the priesthood on 27 April 1980 for the Diocese of Vicenza, he pursued advanced studies in Church law and diplomacy at two prestigious Roman institutions. He earned a degree in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University and completed a diploma in Diplomatic Sciences at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the training ground for Holy See diplomats.

Cardinal Parolin entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1986, beginning a distinguished career representing the Vatican around the world. His early postings included service at the Apostolic Nunciatures in Nigeria and Mexico, where he gained firsthand experience in Church-state relations and international affairs.

After more than a decade of diplomatic work, he was appointed Undersecretary for Relations with States in the Vatican Secretariat of State in November 2002, a role equivalent to that of a deputy foreign minister and central to shaping the Holy See’s global engagement.