Amman: Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin ended a landmark trip to Jordan, praising the Kingdom’s coexistence model and efforts to bring about peace and stability in the region. The highlight of the visit was presiding over a Mass to inaugurate the Baptism Church of Jesus Christ at the Baptism Site on behalf of Pope Francis, marking the annual National Catholic Christian Pilgrimage silver jubilee.
According to Jordan News Agency, Parolin met with His Majesty King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, and patronized church, humanitarian, community, and tourism events. These engagements addressed dialogue and Muslim-Christian coexistence in Jordan and the world, as well as the Holy See’s position on peace and its support of religious tourism in Jordan.
Cardinal Parolin described the inauguration of the Baptism Church as “historic.” The church is built on land that witnessed an important moment in the life of Jesus Christ, serving as a message highlighting Jordan’s key role in the region as a safe and stable country, where all its people live in peace and harmony.