Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, started a three-day pastoral visit to the town of Al-Wahdneh  on Friday, November 15, with the aim to meet with the parishioners of Mar Elias,  which is affiliated with the Latin Patriarchate, as well as with the people of the towns located west of Ajloun Governorate.

Upon arrival,  Cardinal Pizzaballa was welcomed by parish priest Fr. Salam Haddad, the priests of the northern region, MP Wasfi Haddad, MP Abdul Halim ‘Ababneh, Mayor of Al-Shafa Zahreddin Abu Aoun, the priests of Al-Wahdneh, and a number of dignitaries. Then an official reception was held for Cardinal Pizzaballa. Welcoming addresses were delivered by Fr. Salam Haddad,  Mayor Abu Aoun,  Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader who delivered an address on behalf of the priests of the Bader family, and MP Wasfi Haddad. Then Cardinal Pizzaballa conveyed his appreciation for the warm reception  accorded to him, and lauded the wise leadership of his Majesty the King which serves as a  cogent landmark of the good Muslim-Christian relations.

On the first day of his pastoral visit to Wahadneh, Cardinal Pizzaballa visited a number of the sick and the elderly  during which he lifted up prayers and later they received the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, Cardinal Pizzaballa, visited the religious site of Mar Elias, which is identified with Tishbe  and mentioned in the Holy Bible  as the  birthplace of  Prophet Elijah.

Then, Carinal Pizzaballa  proceeded to the Cemetery Church, which was renovated a year  ago by Knight of the Holy Sepulcher Fr. Manuel Bader, and offered a special prayer for the deceased. This was followed by a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias, where he was received by  Fr. Salem Haddad and several parishioners.