The founding meetings of the platform took place in Jordan in 2017, after which a series of meetings, conferences, and initiatives were held in several Arab countries and beyond, bringing together Islamic and Christian leaders and institutions around a single table, within a continuous institutional path aimed at promoting dialogue, citizenship, and coexistence. The platform is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary next year.
Last week, platform members held a meeting in the Italian capital, Rome, in the presence of the Secretary-General of KAICIID and a number of religious figures and leaders, in cooperation with relevant parties at the Holy See. The following day, platform members participated in the general audience of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City.
The Pope welcomed the platform members, affirming his prayers for their efforts to promote peaceful coexistence in the Arab region. His words were not just a passing greeting, but an expression of clear appreciation for the efforts made by the platform in bringing together Islamic and Christian religious leaders and institutions, and in establishing dialogue, cooperation, and coexistence.
After the general audience, the delegation members had the opportunity to greet His Holiness. When it was my turn, I presented him with a commemorative gift from Jordan, a box bearing a mosaic symbolizing the Jordan River and the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ - Al-Maghtas, containing a number of Jordanian products, primarily water from the Jordan River, along with oil, incense, and a silver Jordanian rosary. It is produced by the Spirit of Life Holy Water Company.
I told His Holiness: "These are the waters of the Jordan River", and I spoke to him about Jordan's preparations to celebrate the 2030 bicentennial of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. He replied that he was aware of these preparations. When I said to him: "We hope to see you soon in Jordan", he replied: "I hope so too".
Of course, these words do not represent an official invitation, as the visit of the Supreme Pontiff to any country is subject to known diplomatic and ecclesiastical frameworks. King Abdullah II had previously invited the Pope to visit Jordan during his visit to Vatican City at the end of last year, when His Majesty invited His Holiness to "visit the Baptism Site - Al-Maghtas", as the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, under the leadership of Cardinal Pierbattista, plays a fundamental role in this regard. I was delighted yesterday to visit the site of Al-Maghtas with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah, accompanied by His Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. It is a visit that confirms the importance of preparing for 2030, and I am certain that it will bear many fruits in the coming days. I am also confident that Jordan will be strongly present in any future papal visit to the Holy Land, due to its biblical and sacred sites, primarily the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we look forward with hope to the Pope's visit to Jordan, either before 2030 for preparation or as part of the celebration of this historic occasion.
I returned from Rome with two beautiful images: a picture of Muslims and Christians gathered before the head of the Catholic Church, and a picture of the waters of the Jordan River in the hands of His Holiness the Pope.
