A shared commitment to human dignity and the pursuit of gobal peace

Each year, on 29 June, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul. This feast holds particular significance, not only because it honors the principal Patron Saints of the Church of Rome, but also because it commemorates Saint Peter - the first of the Apostles and the rock upon which Christ built His Church - whose mission continues in a special way in the ministry of the Pope, his successor. As “the one who presides in charity over all the Churches,” the Pope embodies the enduring apostolic foundation of the Church. This year, the feast is especially meaningful, as it is celebrated just weeks after the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. In assuming the Petrine office, he has been entrusted with the task of strengthening his brothers in faith and shepherding the people of God.

Diplomatic relations between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Holy See, established in 1994, are rightly regarded as excellent. Even prior to their formal establishment, over the past five decades, four Pontiffs - Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis - made historic visits to Jordan, reflecting the depth and continuity of this relationship. In particular, the bond between His Majesty King Abdullah II and the late Pope Francis was notably marked by mutual respect. Indeed, Pope Francis’s decision to appoint me as the first resident Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan stands as a testament to the importance the Holy See places on its ties with the Kingdom and reflects a hopeful outlook for their continued strengthening. Most recently, in January of this year, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, presided over the dedication of the Latin Church in Maghtas, a gesture of profound symbolic and spiritual significance.

The Apostolic Nuncio fulfills a dual mission: on the one hand, he makes present the Holy Father’s pastoral solicitude to the local Churches; on the other, he serves as his representative to civil authorities. Through his pontifical representatives, who reside in various nations, the Pope becomes closely engaged in the lives of the Catholic faithful. In this way, he is able - almost by entering into their midst - to perceive more promptly and reliably both their needs and their hopes (cf. Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio Sollicitudo omnium Ecclesiarum).

Christians in the Middle East continue to face considerable challenges, despite their enduring and significant contributions to the region’s history and culture. Many live amid uncertainty, poverty, and fear - often as a result of political instability, conflict, and social intolerance - conditions that at times lead to persecution and displacement.

Jordan, however, stands as a notable exception. This is due in large part to the care and attention extended by the Hashemite Family to all citizens, with particular regard for the well-being of the Christian community in the Kingdom. Indeed, in his recent address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 17 June 2025, His Majesty King Abdullah II affirmed that the Kingdom is not only “proud to be home to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ,” but also emphasized that “our Muslim country is home to a historic Christian community, and all our citizens share in building our nation.” In light of the Holy See’s pastoral and spiritual concern for all places associated with the life of Jesus Christ in the Holy Land, it wishes to express its profound appreciation to the Royal Household - particularly to His Majesty King Abdullah II - and to the Government of Jordan for the continued care and protection shown toward the site of Jesus’ Baptism, ever since its identification in the 1990s by Father Michele Piccirillo.

In the already cited address to the European Parliament, His Majesty King Abdullah II also affirmed that “In Jordan, our firm belief in these common values, grounded in our history and heritage, drives our national principles of tolerance and mutual respect.” In this spirit, the Holy See expresses its readiness to collaborate with the Government of Jordan in promoting a world rooted in peace, guided by international law, and sustained by the shared commitment of nations to pursue the common good.

The Holy See is firmly convinced that peace cannot be achieved through force, ideology, or conflict, but must be founded on mutual respect, dialogue, and diplomacy. In this regard, the concept of human dignity offers a vital common ground, one upon which people of all faiths and cultures can unite. Indeed, every person should have the opportunity to grow, study, work, form a family, and live in peace, with the freedom to believe and to worship. The Catholic Church, with no political or economic interests, seeks - through its spiritual and cultural heritage - only to uphold the centrality of the human person and the dignity inherent to every human life.

In our times - often described by late Pope Francis as a “third world war fought piecemeal,” with conflicts afflicting many regions, especially the beloved Middle East - I echo the words of Pope Leo XIV: “It is the duty of all nations to uphold the cause of peace, to pursue paths of reconciliation, and to seek solutions that ensure security and dignity for all.” With particular concern, the Holy See follows the tragic situation of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, where not only violence but also disease continues to claim innocent lives.

The collapse of the healthcare infrastructure, compounded by a lack of clean water and medicine, has led to the spread of serious illnesses such as cholera and acute respiratory infections. The Holy See continues to urge both Israel and Hamas to resume dialogue, with the aim of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and across all fronts, facilitating the release of Israeli hostages, and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, particularly the Palestinian population. No one should die - or be killed - for a piece of bread to survive.

The Holy See deeply values the efforts made in recent months by the Hashemite Kingdom to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and to welcome refugees from various backgrounds. The Catholic Church, for its part, has actively contributed through the work of its charitable organizations.

For the Holy See, the most just and lasting solution for the Holy Land remains the two-state solution. Only in this way can Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security, in accordance with the aspirations shared by the majority of both peoples. This includes the establishment of a special, internationally guaranteed status for the city of Jerusalem, aimed at safeguarding coexistence and ensuring religious freedom for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim believers alike.

Through our diplomatic relations, the Holy See and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, united in their commitment to building bridges, promoting human dignity, and safeguarding the Christian presence in these cherished lands, continue to offer a shared testimony in service of a world ever more firmly rooted in peace.