On May 10, 2025, the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan issued a statement welcoming the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pontiff of the global Catholic Church, becoming the 267th successor of Saint Peter.

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The statement, issued by CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader, states that this election by the two-day Conclave affirms the universality of the Church, namely a spiritual institution that existed for 2,000 years. The CCSM expresses its hope that this election would serve as a sign of the appreciation and cooperation extended by the cardinals to Cardinal Prevost, whom they desired to be the Pontiff.

The CCSM hopes that the new Pope, Leo XIV, would be distinguished by the knowledge and virtue enshrined in Pope Leo the Great (440-461), and would reinforce the Church's social teaching, the foundations of which were laid by Pope Leo XIII in the late 19^th century and early 20th century, so that the Church would continue to be a moral voice in the world that calls for respecting workers' rights, social justice, in addition to the values ​​of peace and love throughout the world and among peoples.

The statement adds that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV's focus in his first address from the Vatican balcony on the values ​​of peace, bridge-building, justice, openness, and dialogue reassures the world that the ship of the Church will always open its arms wide to enhance human dignity, while calling for silencing the war machines, in addition to raising the voice of dialogue among peoples and followers of religions.

In this context, Fr. Bader praised the congratulatory message sent by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein on behalf of the people and government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which expresses his unfeigned well-wishes and blessings, wishing him success in fulfilling his noble mission as head of the Catholic Church through spreading peace, harmony, and understanding around the world.

In the message, His Majesty the King affirmed his pride in the strong ties between Jordan and the Vatican, noting the Kingdom's commitment to continue to strive to deepen interfaith dialogue.

Fr. Bader said that His Majesty's congratulations herald the new era, God willing, which will witness a development in the friendly and official relations between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Vatican. He added that Jordan would continue to be a key player in the call for peace and justice, interfaith dialogue, and harmony among followers of religions, particularly between Muslims and Christians in the Arab world and in the entire world.

He also expressed hope that our holy country would witness a 5^th papal visit to "Jordan, the Dawn of Christianity," especially as we are currently preparing for the year 2030, when we will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River.