Pope visit a dream come true for woman whose father helped build Bahrain church

FILE PHOTO: Najla Uchi poses for a photo on her altar in her home in Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

MANAMA (Reuters) - When Pope Francis visits Bahrain this week, it will be a dream come true for many Christians in the Gulf Arab country, but especially for Najla Uchi, whose father helped build the first Roman Catholic church in the island state.

Lighting a candle at her home altar lined with religious icons, 78-year-old Najla Uchi said she had been saying a daily prayer for Pope Francis, who is due to arrive on Thursday.