Following Mass in Amman, Pope Visits Place of Jesus' Baptism
AMMAN, MAR 21 (ZENIT.org).- This morning, Catholics of the Middle East met with John Paul II in what was, perhaps, one of the most imposing ceremonies of the whole of his pontificate in a country of Muslim majority. 60,000 people attended the Mass in Amman's Stadium; they came from all corners of the region: Syria, Lebanon, and even Iraq.
When the Holy Father entered the Stadium, the congregation gave him a thunderous applause. Among the personalities present were the Prince of Jordan and government representatives. Some 50 Cardinals and Bishops concelebrated with the Pope, among whom was Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem, who introduced the baptismal profession of faith.
The eye-catcher was a brilliantly colored carpet of flowers spelling out the slogan: «Jordan, Land of Dialogue and Peace.» The representatives of other Christian denominations who participated in the ceremony confirmed this message, as well as the presence of a choir and orchestra the majority of whose members were Muslims.
In Jordan, the Holy Father repeated the same words that John the Baptist cried in the desert: In Christ, «the Son of God, the promise made to Abraham and the Law given to Moses are fulfilled. Jesus is the realization of the promise. His death on the Cross and his Resurrection lead to the definitive victory of life over death. Through the Resurrection the gates of Paradise are thrown open, and we may walk once again in the Garden of Life.
Holy Land Catholics have prepared for the Jubilee of the Year 2000 with a special Synod that has lasted 5 years. John Paul II recalled that this second Synod of the Church in this region, following the one held by the Apostles, has made it very clear that«your future lies in unity and solidarity.»These were, precisely, the two great objectives that he proposed to the Christians of Jordan and the whole of the Holy Land, a small minority in an Arab-Muslim-Jewish world.«May the resources of the Church: the families, parishes, schools, lay associations, youth movements set unity and love as their supreme goal. There is no more effective way to be involved socially, professionally and politically, above all in the work of justice, reconciliation and peace.«
In order to carry this out, the Pope requested everyone's help: from Bishops and priests, whom he asked to be good pastors; to the mothers in Jordan, whom he asked to build a civilization of love; to the children, to whom he said:«Jesus is your friend.«
Indeed, during the ceremony 2,000 children, symbolizing the number of years since Christ's birth, received their First Communion, some directly from the Pope's hands.
Fr. Pasquale Borgomeo, Vatican Radio's Program Director, who has followed the Pope's trips around the world very closely, commented on today's scene:«For Catholics coming from other countries, this is a kind of paradise, an 'oasis,' as relations among Muslims, Catholics and Christians are optimal in this land. Not only does the Church carry out her task of evangelization, but it also makes a decisive contribution at the level of education. Indeed, 30% of the students in Catholic schools are Muslims. To be in this atmosphere, with the Pope, has been a great celebration for these people.«
As soon as the Mass was over, John Paul II went to the Latin Vicariate of Amman, where he had lunch with Patriarchs and Bishops. He ended his visit in Jordan this afternoon, by going to Wadi Al-Kharrar, where recent archeological excavations have uncovered in the Jordan River a place used for Baptisms in the 1st century. Because of this, some experts think it is the very place where Jesus was baptized. The Pope will visit a similar place in Israel. Coping with a strong, dry desert wind, John Paul II recited a prayer of blessing to the Holy Trinity in remembrance of Jesus' Baptism.«Here, at the River Jordan, where both banks are visited by hosts of pilgrims honoring the Baptism of the Lord, I too lift up my heart in prayer.«
The Holy Father then went by helicopter to Amman's International Airport, where he was awaited by King Abdala II, his wife, Queen Rania Yassin, of Palestinian origin, members of the government and leaders of the Church in the Holy Land, to bid farewell to the Pontiff, who was leaving for Tel Aviv. It was a simple moment, with no formal speeches. King Abdala II walked slowly, accompanying the Holy Father until he reached the airplane's steps. The Pope climbed these with difficulty, but when he arrived at the top, he smiled in appreciation of the affection that was expressed to him by the people of this country which, although overwhelmingly Muslim, welcomed him over 26 unforgettable hours.
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