Amman, April 25 (Petra) – The Apostolic Nunciature and Catholic churches in Jordan offered prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis during a solemn requiem Mass held Thursday evening at the Sweifieh Parish - Mary of Nazareth Church in Amman’s Sweifieh district.

The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan, and was concelebrated by Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for the Latin Patriarchate, Emeritus Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, Archimandrite Paul Nuzha, Apostolic Administrator for the Melkite Greek Catholics, along with clergy from the Maronite, Chaldean, and Syriac Catholic churches.

Also in attendance were members of the Catholic religious orders, representatives of other Christian denominations, ambassadors and diplomats, and a large congregation of the faithful.

At the beginning of the liturgy, Bishop Shomali expressed the Church’s deep sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, highlighting the collective grief of the global and local churches in Jordan and Palestine during this Easter season a time of resurrection and hope.

He also conveyed thanks to all who had offered condolences, noting that His Majesty King Abdullah II was among the first world leaders to extend sympathies to the global Christian community and the Catholic Church.

Queen Rania and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy of the King, also offered condolences, with Prince Ghazi personally calling to express his sympathy and ask that it be conveyed during the Mass.

In the homily delivered in Arabic by Fr. Rif’at Bader on behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Dal Toso recalled Pope Francis's unwavering call for peace, particularly in Gaza and the Holy Land. He described the late pontiff as a voice for justice and reconciliation, a shepherd who stood with the oppressed and a champion of peace.

Dal Toso emphasized the special bond between Pope Francis and Jordan, highlighting the Pope’s 2014 visit to the Kingdom and the strong diplomatic and personal ties forged with King Abdullah II. "He was a true friend of Jordan," the Archbishop said, "a man of peace."

The nuncio expressed profound gratitude to the King and the Jordanian government for their gestures of respect following the Pope’s passing, including the three days of national mourning, the lowering of flags, and the King’s messages of condolence all seen as powerful signs of Jordan’s closeness to the Holy See.

He also reflected on Pope Francis’s legacy in advancing Christian-Muslim dialogue, noting his historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi alongside the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.

The document calls for interfaith harmony, mutual respect, and coexistence a vision of peace that stands against hatred, violence, and revenge. "This," Dal Toso said, "is the path we must continue on: a future of dialogue and reconciliation."

At the conclusion of the Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio and Catholic bishops received condolences in the church hall from members of the community.

//Petra// AA

25/04/2025 16:37:27