On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, made his first visit to the Latin Patriarchate affiliated-American University of Madaba (AUM) since his nomination by His Holiness Pope Francis as apostolic nuncio to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in January last year.

Upon arrival, he was welcomed by AUM Chairman of the Board of Trustees Azzam Shweihat, as well as a number of Madaba notables and members of the Lower House of Parliament. During the visit, a meeting was held with AUM President Professor Dr. Ma'moun 'Akroush, members of the administrative and academic staff, and AUM students at the university stage.

At the outset of the meeting, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader delivered an address  in which he pointed out that the visit of the apostolic nuncio coincides with the 15th anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's blessing of the  AUM's cornerstone on May 10, 2009, at a time when His Holiness the Pope said that the AUM's message is to serve as  a venue for understanding as well as dialogue for the youth of Jordan and students of neighboring countries.

Fr. Bader also pointed out that this visit also takes place amidst Jordan’s celebration of two important anniversaries. The first one is the silver jubilee of His Majesty King Abdullah II’s accession to the Hashemite Royal Throne, so that this university is considered part of the process of development of educational institutions during the reign of His Majesty the King, who patronized its inauguration ceremony in its capacity as one of the leading educational institutions in May 2013. The second one is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as these relations are always characterized by friendship and cooperation.

On the other hand, AUM President Professor Mam'oun 'Akroush delivered a welcoming address in which he highlighted the efforts undertaken by the AUM towards closeness and cooperation between the academic and spiritual aspects. He also stressed the necessity of developing understanding across various fields of knowledge and faith, which is what the AUM seeks by engaging in relationships that transcend borders and promote unity.

He pointed out that the AUM is proud of its global openness to cultural diversity, as it plays a role in teaching the Italian language with funding from the Italian embassy. He continued that several AUM graduates participated in seminars held in Rome, and a group of faculty members have graduated from the University of Pavia in Italy, which serve as an embodiment of the importance of international cooperation in the academic process.

In his address before the members of the administrative and academic staff, and the students, Archbishop Dal Toso expressed his pleasure for visiting the AUM, where he conveyed to everyone the greetings of His Holiness Pope Francis. He also stressed the historical ties that link this Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem-affiliated university with the Holy See. He also expressed his gratitude for the significant contributions that the AUM makes to the education of Jordan's youth, to those who come from abroad, and consequently to the general benefit of the Jordanian society and for the good of the region as a whole.

The apostolic nuncio pointed out that the Catholic values on which the university is based do not mean that it excludes anyone. These values, he says, reflect the firm belief that the AUM is open to all students from different religions and cultures, and a place to discover our common humanity. Therefore, it is a call for all universities to become places of knowledge and  to serve for the promotion of mutual respect as this is essential in the unfortunate situation our region is experiencing.

He stressed that the educational process is based first on the mutual relationship between the professor and the student, which is a life relationship before being a teaching relationship. Apart from the knowledge the students acquire from the professors in their studies, they  also receive the spirit that stimulates thinking and conducting research. The apostolic nuncio also touched on the importance of the role of faith and mind in the attainment of mutual enrichment, as they are not contradictory, but rather seek the same truth.

He stressed that the university is the place where the future is shaped, not only because students acquire the knowledge needed for their future professions, and not only because it represents an incubator for common living and a space for students to appreciate one other, but because it gives them the spirit associated with tools. He pointed out that Jordan is a distinguished country in this regard, as its history and  the wise leadership of His Majesty the King have made it a climate for dialogue and mutual respect, which provide for the goodness of the entire Arab nation and the inhabitants of the entire Middle East region.