Vatican News 

Church activities across the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia have been suspended following explosions reported in parts of Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar amid rising regional tensions.

Apparent Iranian attacks have been reported in Dubai, Doha, Bahrein, Kuwait – places with US military bases, or that are allied to the US – and elsewhere.  The attacks came after the US and Israel launched joint attacks across Iran, in which Israel claims several senior figures from the Iranian regime have been killed. According to Iranian state media reports, at least 53 people were killed at a girls’ school in the city of Minab in the south of the country.

Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, has called the faithful to prayer for peace and urged calm and prudence.

Speaking to Fides News Agency, Bishop Berardi said: “At the moment, we do not know much. We have suspended all activities. I have invited the priests of the Vicariate to gather and celebrate Mass for peace this afternoon at 7 p.m. local time.”

The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

According to local media reports, details remain unclear regarding the precise location of an explosion recorded in Bahrain, where the headquarters of the United States Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. Fifth Fleet are based. Reports also indicate that Iranian ballistic missiles targeted a U.S. military base in Kuwait following a joint military attack against Iran carried out earlier today by the United States and Israel.

In a letter addressed to the faithful, Bishop Berardi urged communities to remain calm and attentive to safety measures while turning to prayer.

“In this moment of uncertainty,” the Bishop wrote, “I ask all the faithful of the Vicariate to remain calm, united in prayer, and attentive to everyone’s safety. Please carefully follow the instructions of civil authorities and adopt all necessary precautions in your homes, workplaces and parishes.”

He also instructed parish priests and rectors to take appropriate measures and make prudent and responsible decisions to ensure the safety of those entrusted to their pastoral care. The Bishop encouraged particular attention to the elderly, the sick and the most vulnerable, noting that any changes to parish activities would be communicated through official channels.

“May the Lord protect you and your families, and may Our Lady of Arabia, our Mother, watch over us all,” Bishop Berardi concluded, extending his appeal for prayer to the international community.