"The weapons that the Holy See has to promote peace are not those of the economy or military force, but those of dialogue and mutual exchange. I believe that precisely in relations with Jordan this is extremely fruitful." Mgr. Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, 60, is the apostolic nuncio to Jordan. We met him at the apostolic nunciature, on the western outskirts of Amman. Installed in 2023, he has experienced the Gaza crisis from the beginning, from the country that has become a hub for humanitarian aid, with "constant flows" towards the enclave even before October 7, as demonstrated by the work of Caritas Jordan. "What is happening on the other side of the Jordan can also be felt here - he says -. The role of the nunciature is to mediate and facilitate these interventions." 

The suffering therefore goes beyond the Jordan River, well before stimulating the recent solidarity initiatives, which arrived for 76 years with the exodus of the Palestinians - which has experienced several waves, such as in 1948 and 1967. "The Jordanian government is trying to contain this conflict and find a solution, together with other Arab countries", explains Msgr. Dal Toso. Recalling the conference "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" held in Jordan after months of inhuman attacks, which killed 50 thousand Palestinian people, according to estimates by Hamas in recent days. Co-organized by the Hashemite Kingdom, Egypt and the UN, it was an important international diplomatic coordination. "Jordan is trying not only to mediate, but also to promote real help for the Palestinians", he continues. Pope Francis - he recalls - during the 2014 visit defined King Abdullah II as "a man of peace, an architect of peace".

A peace that must be constantly cultivated, because its existence is fragile, and it must never be taken for granted. The recent breaking of the truce between Israel and Hamas, caused by the resumption of bombings on the Strip, shows that it "is not a self-produced package". "Peace is the fruit of research by men of peace. This is why the Pope constantly appeals to the leaders of nations - says Msgr. Dal Toso -. It comes from a political effort by those who govern". Jordan is an example of this, as it seeks "paths of reconciliation". It maintains stability despite existing in a turbulent Middle East, with neighboring countries bent over by numerous conflicts. It, supported by massive international aid, has made it possible to host millions of refugees. "In the depths of man's heart there is the desire to live in peace with others - he continues -. It is the responsibility of those who govern to listen to this desire that comes from the people". On the possibility of transferring Gazans to Jordan, he added: “The position of the Holy See is clear. This is not a plan that can be implemented; forced deportation violates international law.” 

The apostolic nunciature in Jordan was established in 1994. In March 2024, Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, visited the country to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations. “On that occasion there was also a donation from the Pope to Caritas Jordan, to support the work in favor of Gaza,” explains Msgr. Dal Toso. But “exchange, dialogue and mutual understanding” are also promoted by “cultural diplomacy.” The visit of Card. Pietro Parolin - hosted at the nunciature in Amman last January to attend the inauguration of the new Latin church at the Jordanian site of the Baptism of Al-Maghtas - had “a very strong echo, not only from an ecclesial point of view,” he says. The meeting with King Abdallah II, at which Card. Pizzaballa, it was an opportunity - the monarchy's channels reported - to reiterate the "strong ties" and the "need to stop the Israeli war".

An “urgent” phenomenon that is currently affecting Jordan is the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. There are at least 50,000 - out of over a million - who left to return to Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December 8. “There is a desire to return, even if cautious. The same thing is happening in Cyprus (Dal Toso has also been apostolic nuncio to Cyprus since 2023, ed.). Return means wanting a certain normality, even if it is difficult now,” he says. In fact, there is still strong political, economic and social uncertainty in Syria. And this cautious return, however, “does not mean that the refugee emergency is over in Jordan,” explains Msgr. Dal Toso. “According to UNHCR estimates, assistance to Syrian refugees is even significantly underfunded compared to needs.” 

The apostolic nuncio to Jordan visited Syria in 2017 - sent to Aleppo by Pope Francis - as on subsequent occasions. "In the last phase, before the fall of President Assad, I observed very serious and widespread poverty. I was very struck by the fact that our Catholic organizations financed above all the purchase of medicines," he says. Last February, the interim president of Syria Al-Shara’ visited Jordan, to strengthen relations between the two countries. King Abdullah II reiterated his support for the "reconstruction" of Syria "guaranteeing unity, security and stability." "We are neighboring countries, so there is a need for mutual help," says the nuncio. Last December, an international meeting was held in Aqaba to underline Arab support for Syria's political transition. "It is clear that Jordan has an interest in promoting pacification," he adds.

Finally, the nunciature naturally maintains “a constant exchange” with the local Church: “The meaning of the nuncio’s presence is not to impose the line of the Holy See, but to be available”. Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso explains that there is a “stable relationship” with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, not only with regard to aid for Gaza. The representative of the Patriarchate for Jordan is the vicar Iyad Twal, ordained last month in the new Latin church, on the border with the West Bank. “At the Jordanian site of the Baptism there is a genius loci : a very special presence of grace,” he says. “For the Christian community (about 2 per cent of the population, ed.) it is an important place because it concerns the very life of Christ”. It “manifests the vitality of this Christian community”, which here - as in other Christian sites in the country - gathers. Experiencing a “strong moment of identification”, concludes Dal Toso.