CCSM: The Crown Prince’s visit to the Baptism Site will bear positive fruit

Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader has lauded the visit of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Ibn Abdullah II to the Baptism Site of Lord Jesus Christ, stressing that the visit extends important national, religious, and tourism-related significance as it takes place amidst the underway serious preparations to welcome the year 2030, when Jordan and the world will mark the 2,000nd anniversary of the baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River--a milestone to which His Majesty King Abdullah II attaches great importance.

Fr. Bader said that the Crown Prince’s visit is entitled to highlight the global importance of the Baptism Site as well as to provide additional momentum to the preparations and projects aimed at developing infrastructure, improving services, launching the museum, and enhancing mechanisms for welcoming pilgrims and visitors in preparation for the historic event due to take place in 2030.

 He noted that Vatican News, the Vatican’s official news website, has highlighted the Crown Prince’s visit and published the report issued by the Royal Hashemite Court, accompanied by photographs which reflects the global attention given to the Baptism Site.

Fr. Bader explained that His Royal Highness Crown Prince has accustomed Jordanians to launching and supporting national initiatives that strengthen Jordan’s presence and identity, as well as its message of moderation and fraternity. The initiatives of the Crown Prince’s initiatives such as at the annual “Tawassol” Conference and the issue of “Jordanian Narrative” provide evidence of the great achievements attained under his directives, as his visit to the Baptism Site will serve as an important contribution to directing attention towards religious tourism in its capacity as a significant pillar of the national economy.

He pointed out that Jordan’s tourism sector faced successive challenges in recent years, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic, then by the war in Gaza, as well as the regional tensions and conflicts which affected tourism and pilgrimage. He expressed hope that stability in the region would lead to a recovery in tourism, as pilgrimage and religious-tourism offices around the world would begin preparations for welcoming the year 2030, while placing Jordan and the Baptism Site of Lord Jesus Christ among their priorities.

Fr. Bader also praised the efforts exerted by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Ibn Muhammad--who accompanied the Crown Prince on the visit, along with Princess Maryam Ghazi--in managing the Baptism Site, promoting awareness of its religious and historical significance, in addition to the continuing Royal interest in the site since it was officially opened for visitors and pilgrims.

 Fr. Bader valued the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in supporting religious tourism and promoting Jordan’s Christian holy sites. He stressed the importance of the ministry’s role in developing the religious tourism by offering and enhancing the Kingdom’s presence on the global Christian pilgrimage map, particularly as the year 2030 approaches. He also praised the efforts of Jordan’s Minister of Tourism Dr. Imad Hijazin, and the current cooperation with various tourism stakeholders, including the high-level committee launched by Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan to serve as the central committee for preparations for the Holy Year.

 He also noted that religious and cultural events held at Jordan’s Christian holy sites—including the event held a few days ago at Mukawir under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Hassan Ibn Talal—contribute to highlighting Jordan’s religious heritage and to preparing for the next stage, as well as the event scheduled to take place shortly at the Roman Theatre, organized by the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies and the Catholic Center for Studies and Media.

Fr. Bader concluded by emphasizing that the Crown Prince’s visit will produce positive results whose fruits will be seen in the coming days, months, and years. He added that preparations for the year 2030 are not confined only to the Baptism Site, but represent an opportunity to highlight the network of Christian holy sites across Jordan, foremost among them are Mukawir, Mount Nebo, the site of Mar Elias, and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mount in Anjara which enhances Jordan’s position as a holy land and a global destination for pilgrimage and religious tourism.