The Apostolic Nunciature in Amman has celebrated the national day of the Holy See, which coincides with the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, during a reception held at the Apostolic Nunciature and attended by official, diplomatic, and religious figures.

 

In an address delivered during the celebration, Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan Archbishop Giovanni Dal Toso welcomed the attendees, noting that by appointing him as its first resident nuncio to Jordan, the Holy See wished to emphasize the growing importance it attaches to the Kingdom of Jordan, “with which we share a common vision regarding common living among individuals and peoples.”

 

He added that Jordan, for its part, has demonstrated its appreciation for the Holy See, and recalled His Majesty King Abdullah II’s visit to Pope Leo XIV last October, as well as the meeting that brought together His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan Ibn Talal and the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies with the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

 

Apostolic Nuncio Dal Toso stressed that the fundamental message shared by Jordan and the Holy See is the “defence and enhancement of human dignity.” He referred to Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas”, the first major document of his pontificate, which addresses the issue of artificial intelligence with respect to human dignity.

 

He pointed out that the Pontiff emphasized that human beings “must not become victims of autonomous automated systems or systems controlled by a limited number of people,” affirming that artificial intelligence should remain a tool at the service of humanity and for the enhancement of human dignity, since the human person “remains the true agent of every activity worthy of being called human.”

 

He also noted that during his recent apostolic visit to Spain, the Pope recalled the contribution of the School of Salamanca in the 16th century, particularly the Dominican Fathers, to the development of the concept of the Law of Nations in its capacity as a shared legal foundation for human dignity, which is a concept rooted in Christian revelation.

 

Addressing the developments in the region, Archbishop Dal Toso said that the Holy See continues to raise its voice in defence of human dignity amidst the ongoing crises, while calling for peace and respect for international law as well as humanitarian law. He added: “The Holy See may not possess military, economic, or political power in the conventional sense, but we recognize that common living among peoples and nations is not sustainable without a moral foundation based on shared values.

 

 He stressed that the Holy See works tirelessly in order to entrench this common foundation, stressing that the shared problems require shared approaches. Consequently, the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation, as well as the role religions should play in promoting common living rather than fueling hatred and division, in pursuit of peace through justice.

 

In this context, Archbishop Dal Toso expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian efforts exerted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the region, with particular reference to the Gaza Strip. He also noted that the Holy See’s commitment to defending human dignity has made it intervene repeatedly on behalf of Gaza and other war-affected areas.

 

 He said, “I would like to express my gratitude to Jordan for its relief efforts in the region,” and recalled the visits paid two days ago to Gaza by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem to Gaza, as well as the assistance extended by Catholic institutions operating from Amman. He also called for continued prayer for peace.

 

The Apostolic Nuncio also highlighted the role played by the Catholic Church in Jordan, referring to its contributions through its schools, hospitals, educational and charitable institutions, in addition to its care for holy sites and the historical heritage of Christians in the Kingdom. He continued that “Christians are an integral part of the Jordanian society,” and expressed concern over their declining numbers in the region, and underlined the importance of preserving their presence and role.

 

Furthermore, he referred to the ongoing preparations to mark the celebration of the second millennium of the Baptism of  Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River in 2030. He asserted that this occasion enjoys the interest of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who seeks to highlight its significance in its capacity as a confirmation of the deep-rooted Christian presence in the Kingdom. Adding that “the Catholic Church will also contribute to commemorating this important anniversary,” he expressed his appreciation for King Abdullah II and praised his continued support for this initiative.

 

Concluding his address, Archbishop Dal Toso thanked the attendees for their participation and cooperation, as well as expressed gratitude to the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature for their ongoing support and wished everyone a blessed feast and a pleasant evening.

 

Following is the text of the address delivered by Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan Archbishop Giovanni Dal Toso on the Pope's Day dated June 24, 2026;

 

Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Dear Friends,

Welcome to our Pope's Day, which finally brings us together this year in the Nunciature. As you know, with my appointment as the first resident Nuncio to Jordan, the Holy See wished to underline the growing importance it places on this Kingdom, with which we share a vision of coexistence among individuals and peoples. Moreover, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has also shown its appreciation for the Holy See: I recall His Majesty's visit to Pope Leo last October, as well as the meeting in the Vatican last May between Prince Hassan and the Institute for Interfaith Studies with the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and the subsequent audience with Pope Leo.

 

The message we fundamentally share is the defense and promotion of human dignity. In this regard, I would like to refer to the recent Encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas", Pope Leo's first major document, in which the Pope addressed the issue of artificial intelligence, basing it on the dignity of the person. Therefore, the person cannot become the victim of autonomous automated systems or those managed by a few people, but artificial intelligence remains a valid tool for promoting the person, who remains the true subject of every activity worthy of the name of human. Moreover, during his recent visit to Spain, in his address to the Spanish Parliament, the Pope recalled that since the 16th century, the School of Salamanca, with the Dominican Fathers, developed the concept of ius gentium to express a common legal foundation for human dignity. This is deeply rooted in Christian revelation.

 

It is on the basis of the dignity of the person that the Holy See has also frequently raised its voice in the context of the crisis in our region, both to call for peace and to remind everyone to respect international and humanitarian law. While we all understand that the Holy See's power is not military, economic, or strictly political, we all sense that, without a moral foundation, grounded in shared values, coexistence among peoples and states is impossible. The Holy See works tirelessly to promote this common foundation. Shared problems are addressed with a common approach: hence the insistence on multilateralism and the fact that religions must contribute to human coexistence, and not foment hatred and division, in order to achieve peace through justice.

 

The defense of human dignity has led the Holy See to intervene repeatedly for Gaza, and other war-affected places, and I would like to express my appreciation for Jordan’s assistance efforts in the region. As for Gaza, I recall the visits of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with the Orthodox Patriarch, the last of which occurred just two days ago. Catholic organizations are also lending their support, starting also from Amman. Let us not forget our engagement through prayer.

 

Finally, as Apostolic Nuncio, I cannot fail to mention the great contribution the Catholic Church offers to this country through schools, hospitals, other educational and charitable institutions, the care for the holy sites in Jordan, as well as the historic contribution of Christians to the well-being of the Kingdom. Christians are an integral part of Jordanian society, and therefore we are saddened by their diminishing presence.

 

We have before us the goal of 2030, two thousand years since the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan. This is an anniversary that King Abdullah II, to whom we extend our thoughts of esteem and gratitude, wishes to promote, also to reaffirm the importance of the innate presence of Christians in this Kingdom. The Catholic Church will also make its contribution to this anniversary.

 

Thank you for your presence, your cooperation, and the esteem I have also felt personally. I thank my staff for the fundamental support they offer me here in the Nunciature. And—I say this in Latin—de verbis satis: happy feast day to you all and enjoy the evening.