Within the framework of his first official visit to Jordan since his nomination as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in October 2020, His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa paid a visit to Madaba on Friday, January 15. He was accompanied by Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop William Shomali and Latin Vicariate Secretary General Fr. Imad Alamat.

At the outset of his visit, Patriarch Pizzaballa celebrated Holy Mass at the Monastery of St. Jacob in Ma'in township in the presence  of the clergy of  the Little Family of the Annunciation, where he conveyed condolences on the passing away of Director of the Convent  Fr. Athos Righi last month.

Later, he visited Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist in downtown Madaba and met with parish priest Fr. Firas Nasrawin, as well as assistant priests Fr. Amer Jubran and Fr. Ala' Bair in addition to Rosary Sisters where he was apprised of the conditions of the parishioners and the future projects.

Patriarch Pizzaballa's last stop was at the Shrine of Prophet Moses on Mount Nebo. He was received there by Superior of the Franciscan Mount Nebo Convent Fr. Raffaele Caputo and was briefed on the shrine. He also prayed for the priests who were buried there namely, Fr. Michael Pichirallo, Fr. Firas Hijazin, Fr. Shadi Bader and Fr. Athos Righi.