Jordan comes to the Vatican

His Majesty, King Abdullah II bin Hussein of Jordan arrived at the Vatican a little before the hour of 4:00pm today.  Upon his arrival in front of the Casa Santa Marta, he was welcomed by the Prefect of the Pontifical Household, His Excellency, Georg Gaenswein, and by the Chief of Protocol, Monsignor Jose Avelino Bettencourt, and in the atrium of the Domus, he was greeted by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by His Excellency, Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

The Holy Father received His Majesty, the King at the entrance to the Salon on the ground floor, where their dialogue took place.  Also participating in this encounter was His Highness, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammed, as well as Vatican English-language translators.  The conversation, which continued even as the distinguished visitors enjoyed a cup of tea, lasted a little more than forty minutes, and was conducted in a cordial and informal manner.

 Naturally, this visit took place in the context of the anticipated visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Land, at which time he will also visit Jordan.  His Majesty wanted to reaffirm the sentiments with which the Jordanian people are preparing to welcome the Pope and their open disposition toward collaboration with the commitment to peace and to inter-religious dialogue.

At the conclusion of today's meeting, the Holy Father also greeted the other members of His Majesty's party.  The illustrious visitors left the Vatican at 4:45pm.