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Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National

The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National

The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National

Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National

A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National

The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National

The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National

Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National

A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National

Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral opens in Bahrain - in pictures

Disaster agency workers help residents to safety after heavy flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

Best photos of November 20: Heavy floods in Jakarta to Harry Potter magic in Singapore

President Sheikh Mohamed meets Jordan's King Abdullah II in Abu Dhabi, with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, also in attendance. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Jordan's King Abdullah - in pictures