Jordan’s King & Queen welcome Pope

Pope Benedict XVI began his first four-day trip to Jordan on Friday. The Pope was given a red-carpet welcome by the Jordanian King Abudllah and his wife Queen Rania.

The Pope is in the region to promote peace and dialogue between Christians and Muslims, Benedict said “My visit to Jordan gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community, and to pay tribute to the leadership shown by His Majesty the King in promoting a better understanding of the virtues proclaimed by Islam”.

Later that day, King Abdullah and Queen Rania meet with Pope at the Royal Palace in presence of their four children.

On Sunday, the Royal couple met with Pope Benedict southwest of the Jordanian capital and visited the Jordan River where Jesus is believed to have been baptized and showed the Pope around a few archaeological sites. Later on, King Abudllah and Queen Rania along with the Pope got into golf carts along the gravel paths that line the site and stopped at a pool where archaeologists have found the remains of early churches, as well as steps leading down to the water where John the Baptist carried out his ministry. Later, the Pope went to a construction site along with the King Abdullah and Queen Rania where he blessed the cornerstones of two churches to be built for pilgrims.

“In the Middle East, marked by tragic suffering, by years of violence and unresolved tensions, Christians are called to offer their contribution, inspired by the example of Jesus, of reconciliation and peace through forgiveness and generosity,” he said to a group of people who watched and media people.

To view the thread on the pope’s visit, click here.

Filed under Jordan
Tagged Abdullah II of Jordan, Official Visit, Pope Benedict XVI, Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan, Religion.