POPE IN JORDAN: THE PEACE PROCESS MUST CONTINUE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2000 (VIS) - This morning at 9 a.m., John Paul II departed from Rome's Fiumicino airport en route for Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. After a four hour flight he landed at Queen Alia International Airport in the nation's capital, thus beginning his 91st trip outside Italy and the second stage of his Jubilee pilgrimage to places linked to the history of salvation.

This is the second visit of a Pope to Jordan, following that by Paul VI in 1964. After being welcomed by King Abdallah II, by civil and religious authorities, the diplomatic corps and His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, the Pope spoke, in response to an address by the king.

"My visit to your country and the entire journey which I am beginning today is part of the religious Jubilee pilgrimage which I am making to commemorate the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ."

"Today I am in Jordan, a land familiar to me from the Holy Scriptures; a land sanctified by the presence of Jesus Himself, by the presence of Moses, Elijah and John the Baptist, and of saints and martyrs of the early Church. Yours is a land noted for its hospitality and openness to all."

The Pope made mention of the king's concern for peace in Jordan and the entire region, and of the importance that Muslims and Christians be "one people and one family. In this area of the world there are grave and urgent issues of justice, of the rights of peoples and nations, which have to be resolved for the good of all concerned and as a condition of lasting peace. No matter how difficult, no matter how long, the process of seeking peace must continue. Without peace, there can be no authentic development for this region, no better life for its peoples, no brighter future for its children. That is why Jordan's proven commitment to securing the conditions necessary for peace is so important and praiseworthy."

"The three historical monotheistic religions count peace, goodness and respect for the human person among their highest values."

After recalling that the Catholic Church always desires to cooperate with nations and peoples in promoting the dignity of the human person, John Paul II said, "your noble tradition of respect for all religions guarantees the religious freedom which makes this possible, and which is in fact a fundamental human right."

Following the ceremony, the Pope travelled to Mt. Nebo.

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