Amman, April 26 (Petra) - In a moment of profound solemnity, His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah paid their final respects to His Holiness Pope Francis, a global beacon for the message of love and peace, who tirelessly advocated for human dignity, defended the marginalized, and championed coexistence and interfaith understanding.

Jordan had warmly welcomed Pope Francis on multiple visits, affirming its role as a land of divine messages and a cradle of universal human values. These visits have reflected the deep and genuine bond between Jordan and the Vatican, underpinned by sincere affection evident in every encounter.

Throughout his pontificate, the late Pope Francis expressed his appreciation for His Majesty King Abdullah II’s steadfast efforts in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Jordan, in turn, remains committed to honoring this mutual respect and upholding the values of tolerance and mutual understanding that Pope Francis ardently promoted.

Archimandrite Bassam Shahatit emphasized that the participation of Their Majesties in the funeral service held in Rome embodies the profound friendship and esteem for the late pontiff and reflects the elevated humanitarian dimensions that characterize the distinguished relationship between the Kingdom and the Holy See.

He noted that the Hashemite presence at the farewell of Pope Francis stands as a genuine testament to the values of loyalty and civilizational dialogue among religions, underscoring the international stature of His Majesty King Abdullah II as a respected global leader and a renowned advocate for dialogue, peace, and coexistence.

Shahatit elaborated that Jordan’s ties with the Vatican span decades of fruitful cooperation, grounded in mutual respect and ongoing communication. These relations were formally solidified in 1994 through the establishment of diplomatic ties during the reign of the late King Hussein bin Talal and Pope John Paul II, marking the beginning of a robust collaborative journey across various fields.

He further highlighted the historic record of reciprocal visits, with King Hussein visiting the Vatican five times, and His Majesty King Abdullah II making seven official visits to the Holy See, all reflective of a strong, shared commitment to enhancing dialogue and cooperation.

Shahatit also recalled the historic papal visits to Jordan: Pope Paul VI in 1964, the first papal visit to the Holy Land; Pope John Paul II in 2000, who demonstrated profound respect for Jordan’s pivotal role in safeguarding holy sites; Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, who underscored the values of dialogue and tolerance; and Pope Francis in 2014, whose visit carried powerful messages of coexistence and peace.

He noted that these visits transcend mere protocol, carrying profound significance in supporting just causes, notably the Palestinian cause, defending the rights of peoples to freedom and dignity, and promoting respect and understanding among followers of different faiths principles both Jordan and the Vatican deeply cherish.

Shahatit emphasized King Abdullah II’s instrumental regional and international role in advancing dialogue, harmony, and justice through groundbreaking initiatives such as the "Amman Message," "A Common Word," and the "World Interfaith Harmony Week," now a United Nations-adopted initiative advocating for global understanding and cooperation.

He praised Pope Francis’s pioneering leadership in advocating for world peace, elevating the voices of the poor, refugees, and the marginalized, and promoting human fraternity, qualities that made him a beloved and influential figure across religious and cultural divides.

Participation by His Majesty in the funeral, Shahatit asserted, reflects Jordan’s profound appreciation for the religious and humanitarian symbolism embodied by the late Pope, reaffirming the Hashemite leadership’s dedication to fostering humanitarian engagement and value-based dialogue at a time when the world needs it most.

Former Minister of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Places, Hayel Dawood, highlighted that King Abdullah II’s participation, as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), stems from the deep roots of tolerance, love, and harmony inherent in Islam’s message. It contributes to promoting a culture of dialogue, peace, and coexistence at a critical global juncture.

Dawood remarked, "Such royal messages of profound human significance are essential in an era rife with extremism, wars, and destruction. Islam calls for engagement and respect for others, irrespective of religious differences, as reflected in the Quranic verse: ‘God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, God loves those who act justly.’"

He stressed that participation in such events reflects the essence of Islamic values and embodies the Kingdom’s identity, led by His Majesty, rooted in principles of compassion, coexistence, and support for global peace.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Atallah Hanna, Head of the Sebastia Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, described King Abdullah II’s participation as a reflection of the values of unity and humanity that His Majesty consistently champions.

He emphasized that His Majesty, as the Custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, also stands as a protector of national unity and religious tolerance, both in the region and worldwide.

Archbishop Hanna added that the King’s presence at the funeral carries powerful messages against extremism, hatred, and racism and reaffirms a global call for love, dialogue, and unity among all followers of faith.

"In Jerusalem, we remain loyal to His Majesty, the Custodian of the Holy Sites, recognizing his pivotal role in preserving the historical bonds between Muslims and Christians globally," he affirmed.

Dr. Amer Al-Hafi, Professor of Comparative Religions at Al al-Bayt University and academic advisor to the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, noted that the royal participation in the funeral carries a deeply humanitarian dimension, emphasizing solidarity with a global figure renowned for his humanitarian stances.

He affirmed that Jordan, under His Majesty’s leadership, consistently seeks the highest common human values, highlighting that the relationship between Islam and Christianity, as reflected in the Quran, represents a pinnacle of interfaith relations.

Citing the Quranic verse, "And you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, ‘We are Christians,’" Al-Hafi stressed the religious imperative to strengthen bonds between Muslims and Christians.

He further highlighted the "A Common Word" initiative, a historic document originating from Jordan that significantly advanced Islamic-Christian dialogue, particularly following a landmark lecture by Pope Benedict XVI, and noted its lasting impact on interfaith relations.

Father Imad Al-Alamat, Secretary-General of the Latin Patriarchal Vicariate in Jordan, underlined His Majesty King Abdullah II’s steadfast belief in dialogue as a primary tool for resolving conflicts and building bridges between nations and peoples.

Father Al-Alamat also praised Pope Francis’s global efforts to promote peace and dialogue through his 46 international visits, particularly noting the signing of the "Document on Human Fraternity" in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which marked a historic step in Christian-Muslim relations.

He noted that Pope Francis’s 2014 visit to Jordan, his fourth papal visit following those of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, spotlighted Jordan’s central role in hosting refugees and fostering solidarity in the Middle East.

Father Al-Alamat highlighted that the Vatican has designated five Christian pilgrimage sites in Jordan Our Lady of the Mountain in Anjara, Mount Nebo Church, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Mar Elias Site in Ajloun, and Machaerus in Madaba further cementing Jordan’s religious and historical significance.

He concluded by emphasizing that initiatives such as the "Amman Message" and the "World Interfaith Harmony Week" reflect shared Jordanian and Vatican values, establishing a solid foundation for enduring collaboration based on dialogue and mutual understanding.

//Petra// AA

26/04/2025 18:07:30