COMMUNIQUE ON VISIT OF EMIR OF BAHRAIN

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the communique by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, Holy See Press Office director, which was published this morning regarding yesterday's visit to the Holy Father by Sheikh Hamad Bin Essa Al-Khalifa, emir of Bahrain:

"The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, enabled the emir to highlight the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the many aspects that Christianity and Islam have in common.

"The emir expressed to the Holy Father his desire to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See and invited the Pope to make an official visit to the emirate. The Holy Father expressed his thanks for this invitation, hoping that Divine Providence will one day allow him to make such a trip.

"Following the audience with the Holy Father, the emir of Bahrain met for discussions with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States."

OP;VISIT EMIR BAHRAIN;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19991123;Word: 170;