On Friday, July 24, 2026, the Catholic Church in Jordan marked the Annual Pilgrimage Day to the Grotto of Saint Elijah in Ajloun--one of the Kingdom's major Christian pilgrimage sites--with a solemn Mass celebrated by His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop Iyad Twal; Father Salam Haddad, parish priest of Saint Elijah Church in Al-Wahadneh; Father Johnny Bahbah, parish priest of Saint Boulos Church in Ajloun; and Father Yousef Francis, parish priest of Our Lady of the Mount Church in Anjara. In attendance were a large number of priests, religious sisters, and the faithful from parishes from various parts of Jordan, as well as pilgrims.

Prior to the Holy Mass, parish priest of Saint Elijah Church in Al-Wahadneh Father Salam Haddad delivered an address reflecting on the centennial anniversary of Saint Elijah Parish and emphasized that the Grotto of Saint Elijah is one of Jordan's most important Christian pilgrimage sites due to its biblical and historical significance. He added that this annual celebration consolidates Jordan's standing as a destination for pilgrimage and religious tourism, as well as it highlights national efforts to promote the country's Christian heritage sites and welcoming pilgrims from around the world.

In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa welcomed all the pilgrims and stressed that mountains hold a special place in the history of salvation, as they are places where Divine revelations were manifested among which was Mount Saint Elijah in Al-Wahadneh, which he referred to as an authentic site closely associated with Prophet Elijah. He urged the faithful to find their own mountains where they can encounter God in their daily lives.

Patriarch Pizzaballa affirmed that Prophet Elijah remained faithful to God despite the widespread worship of idols in his time, as he refused to follow the prevailing trends of his time. He emphasized that this witness remains profoundly relevant now-a-days in the face of contemporary ideologies, as every believer is called upon to choose to follow God every day, despite the steadfastness and sacrifice that such a choice may require.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem noted that the Prophet Elijah remained faithful to God despite the widespread worship of idols in his time. He refused to follow the prevailing currents of his age, even in the face of persecution. The Cardinal said this witness remains relevant today, as believers are likewise called to choose to follow God each day, despite the steadfastness and sacrifice such a commitment may require.

He added that God never abandoned Elijah but accompanied him and sustained him, even in the wilderness, while he was calling on the faithful to trust in God's unfailing trust. He concluded his homily by emphasizing that Prophet Elijah is an integral part of Jordan's heritage and encouraged everyone to imitate his example of fidelity to God and confidence in His constant presence in human life.

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, Father Rif’at Bader, director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, thanked all those who contributed to organizing the pilgrimage day. He expressed particular appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board, the Jordan Armed Forces, the security apparatuses, the Ajloun Governorate and its institutions, members of the Parliament, the organizing committees, priests, volunteers, and media outlets. He also thanked the faithful for their participation in this spiritual celebration and concluded with a prayer asking God to protect His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II, as well as to bless Jordan and its people with peace and grace.