Text of Pope Benedict XVI's Arrival Speech in Jordan
Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Dear Brother Bishops, Dear Friends, It
is with joy that I greet all of you here present, as I begin my first visit to the
Middle East since my election to the Apostolic See, and I am pleased to set foot upon
the soil of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a land so rich in history, home to so
many ancient civilizations, and deeply imbued with religious significance for Jews,
Christians and Muslims. I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II for his kind words of
welcome, and I offer my particular congratulations in this year that marks the tenth
anniversary of his accession to the throne. In greeting His Majesty, I extend heartfelt
good wishes to all members of the Royal Family and the Government, and to all the
people of the Kingdom. I greet the Bishops here present, especially those with pastoral
responsibilities in Jordan. I look forward to celebrating the liturgy at Saint George’s
Cathedral tomorrow evening and at the International Stadium on Sunday together with
you, dear Bishops, and so many of the faithful entrusted to your care. I come
to Jordan as a pilgrim, to venerate holy places that have played such an important
part in some of the key events of Biblical history. At Mount Nebo, Moses led his
people to within sight of the land that would become their home, and here he died
and was laid to rest. At Bethany beyond the Jordan, John the Baptist preached and
bore witness to Jesus, whom he baptized in the waters of the river that gives this
land its name. In the coming days I shall visit both these holy places, and I shall
have the joy of blessing the foundation stones of churches that are to be built at
the traditional site of the Lord’s Baptism. The opportunity that Jordan’s Catholic
community enjoys to build public places of worship is a sign of this country’s respect
for religion, and on their behalf I want to say how much this openness is appreciated.
Religious freedom is, of course, a fundamental human right, and it is my fervent hope
and prayer that respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of every man and woman
will come to be increasingly affirmed and defended, not only throughout the Middle
East, but in every part of the world. 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. Now that some years have passed since the publication
of the Amman Message and the Amman Interfaith Message, we can say that these worthy
initiatives have achieved much good in furthering an alliance of civilizations between
the West and the Muslim world, confounding the predictions of those who consider violence
and conflict inevitable. Indeed the Kingdom of Jordan has long been at the forefront
of initiatives to promote peace in the Middle East and throughout the world, encouraging
inter-religious dialogue, supporting efforts to find a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, welcoming refugees from neighboring Iraq, and seeking to curb extremism.
I cannot let this opportunity pass without calling to mind the pioneering efforts
for peace in the region made by the late King Hussein. How fitting that my meeting
tomorrow with Muslim religious leaders, the diplomatic corps and University rectors
should take place in the mosque that bears his name. May his commitment to the resolution
of the region’s conflicts continue to bear fruit in efforts to promote lasting peace
and true justice for all who live in the Middle East. Dear Friends, at the Seminar
held in Rome last autumn by the Catholic-Muslim Forum, the participants examined the
central role played in our respective religious traditions by the commandment of love.
I hope very much that this visit, and indeed all the initiatives designed to foster
good relations between Christians and Muslims, will help us to grow in love for the
Almighty and Merciful God, and in fraternal love for one another. Thank you for your
welcome. Thank you for your attention. May God grant Your Majesties happiness and
long life! May he bless Jordan with prosperity and peace!