Catholicism in Saudi Arabia is officially barred from being practised, though Catholics are allowed into the country for temporary work.
The Saudi Arabian Mutaween (Arabic: مطوعين), or Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice prohibits the practice of any religion other than Islam.
[2] In 2018, it was reported that the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia) had stopped enforcing the ban on Christians religious services in the Kingdom.
[4] In 2022, the number of Christians living in Saudi Arabia was estimated at 2.1 million; however, it is unknown how many are Catholics, Orthodox, or Protestants.
A historical moment occurred on November 6, 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI received King Abdullah in audience at the Vatican.