Mr. Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, has emphasized the importance of Jordan as a holy land that witnessed pivotal events from the Holy Bible. He made these remarks during his address at a press conference organized by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, ahead of the Catholic Pilgrimage Mass for 2026 at the Baptism Site of Lord Jesus Christ.

Mr. Tornielli opened his remarks by thanking Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for inviting the Vatican media delegation to take part in this celebration. He stressed that Jordan is not only a land associated with events of the Old Testament, but rather a place where key moments of the Holy Gospel unfolded. He noted that participants have gathered to celebrate the Holy Mass at the very site where Jesus Christ was baptized.

Marking this occasion, Tornielli recalled his first visit to Jordan 26 years ago, in March 2000, when he accompanied Saint John Paul II on his pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land aboard the apostolic plane.  He noted that, while preparing for that visit, he reviewed the first papal journey of the modern era, namely the historic pilgrimage made by Pope Paul VI in January 1964 as his plane landed in Amman, where he was welcomed by His Majesty King Hussein Ibn Talal. During his travel overland to Jerusalem, the King personally accompanied him, flying alongside the motorcade in a small aircraft to escort it from the air.

Mr. Tornielli pointed out that Jordan was the first country ever visited by a Pontiff in modern papal journeys. He said this carries a special significance and underscores the importance of inviting pilgrims to follow this path by visiting the holy sites of this blessed land.

In a related context, Mr. Tornielli noted that the Church is preparing to celebrate the Great Jubilee in 2033, marking 2,000 years since the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. He added that Jordan will mark an important milestone even earlier, in 2030, with a special jubilee commemorating 2,000 years since the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, an occasion he termed as a great opportunity to rediscover the beauty of this blessed land.

Mr. Tornielli concluded his address by thanking those present and wishing them a blessed New Year.