His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, began his pastoral visit to Northern Zarqa in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Thursday, February 13, 2025, which continued until Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Day One – The Official Welcome
Cardinal Pizzaballa was warmly received in the Zarqa Governorate by Fr. Eyad Bader, the parish priest of Zarqa North, Fr. Ruben Cabrera, the vicar priest, Dr. Firas Abu Qaoud, the Governor of Zarqa, and Dr. Hail Al-Ayash, Deputy Governor, along with the priests of Zarqa from various churches, municipal and central council members, and directors of security and official institutions.
While welcoming the Cardinal, the Governor of Zarqa expressed his appreciation for this significant visit, stating: "It is a great pleasure to have you with us. In this country, there is no distinction between Muslims and Christians; we are all united as brothers in God. Consider this your second home."
Cardinal Pizzaballa, in turn, commended the vital role of His Majesty King Abdullah II in navigating the region's challenging circumstances. He stated, "We are grateful for His Majesty’s safe return from the United States and appreciate his steadfast efforts in maintaining security and stability in the kingdom through his wise leadership." He further added, "My visit to the Zarqa parish is an opportunity to spend three days engaging with the faithful, meeting various community members, and reaffirming the significance of unity in strengthening our communities."
Dr. Hail Al-Ayash also emphasized that His Beatitude's visit enhances societal values and bonds of love and fraternity, noting that it coincides with the Week of Interfaith Harmony in Jordan.
Later, an official and popular reception was held in front of the Church of the Apostles in Northern Zarqa, where His Beatitude was welcomed by the priests, along with the parish council, the faithful, students of the Patriarchal Latin School, the administrative and teaching staff, and the youth, all in a festive atmosphere led by the parish scouts.
The first day concluded with a visit to the Latin Patriarchate's nursery. Later, His Beatitude the Cardinal joined the Marian Fraternity in praying the Rosary, followed by a meeting with various pastoral group leaders, during which he learned in depth about their activities, concerns, and future endeavors.
Day Two – World Day of the Sick in Zarqa
His Beatitude presided over the Mass for World Day of the Sick at the Church of the Apostles, where he administered the Anointing of the Sick to several parishioners.
During his homily, he reflected on the journey of life and aging, emphasizing God's presence in the sacraments and His active role in the lives of the faithful: "We live in a society that strives for perfection and refuses to face sickness and old age, as though they are not part of our lives. But we all know that one day we will face illness, aging, or loneliness." He added: "Jesus Christ is always with us, and the Anointing of the Sick with holy oil is a sign of His presence. Every time we visit a sick person, we bring them the consolation of Jesus."
After the Mass, His Beatitude administered the sacrament of baptism to two children from the parish.
Later he visited The Princess Muna College of Nursing, affiliated with the Orthodox Charitable Society in Zarqa. He also visited various churches in Zarqa, where he met with priests and parishioners:
- St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, where he was welcomed by Fr. Athanasius Qaqish, the parish priest, along with Fr. Philippos Ibrahim and Fr. Farah Haddad.
- Sacred Heart Church of the Greek Melkite Catholics in the southern neighborhood, where he was received by the parish priest Fr. Khalil Qannaza.
- The Episcopal Savior Church, where he was welcomed by Pastor Dr. Khaled Freij.
He also visited the sick of the parish in their homes, anointed them with holy oil, and concluded the day with a meeting with the priests and religious sisters of Zarqa.
Day Three – Continued Pastoral Visit
The third day began with a special Mass for the Latin Patriarchate's school children at the parish church, during which outstanding students were honored with certificates in recognition of their efforts and achievements.
After the Mass, His Beatitude visited the school, where he was welcomed by Mr. Rafat Bawab, the school director, along with the administrative and teaching staff. During his tour of the school, he visited its different departments, attended the morning assembly, and interacted with the students in an atmosphere that reflected the spirit of the educational family.
He then visited the Scouts headquarters, where he was welcomed by Mr. Rakan Fakhouri, the group leader, along with other scout leaders. He also visited the Youth of the Apostles headquarters, where he was received by the youth leader Hazem Haddad and other leaders, during which he listened to their activities and aspirations.
His visit included a stop at the Committee of Charity headquarters, where he was welcomed by Mr. Fawzi Samarna, the general manager, along with other members. He then visited the Caritas Center, where he was greeted by the center’s supervisor, Mr. Suhail Abbasi, and the administrative body, who explained the center's role in serving the community.
He also visited the nursery of the Latin Patriarchate, where he was welcomed by Ms. Shadia Qandah, the director, and the teaching staff, who gave him an overview of the educational programs and activities offered to the children.
During his visit to the Zarqa Municipality, he was welcomed by the mayor, Engineer Imad Al-Momani, along with several municipal council members, who greeted him with the words: "Welcome to the industrial city of Jordan, The Christians of this city have provided the best cadres in various fields and have proven their excellence in all sectors. They are an essential and important part of our society."
In his speech, His Beatitude expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality, praising the efforts of the municipal council in developing the city and enhancing its social relations, saying: "We thank you as a municipal council for all you do in organizing and growing the city. Zarqa, like all of Jordan, has a unique reality in the Middle East. I noticed your focus on relationships within the city framework, which is very important, as urban life is not just about infrastructure but also about the relationships between different sects and communities."
As part of his pastoral visit, His Beatitude visited Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity Center for People with Special Needs, where he met with the residents and workers of the center, and was briefed on the services provided to this important group in society.
The day concluded with His Beatitude presiding over the Mass at the parish church, where his homily highlighted the meaning of the Christian life: "We all have our own interests and priorities, but when something important happens in our lives, our priorities change. This is what happened with the Virgin Mary; after receiving the Annunciation, her life changed completely." He added: "When we meet Jesus Christ, we realize that worldly priorities are not important to God. We need to pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit so that our eyes are opened to see the presence of Jesus among us."
Day Four: The Final Day of the Pastoral Visit
The fourth day of the pastoral visit began with a morning Mass at the parish church, where the faithful gathered for prayer and reflection in preparation for a day full of meetings and visits.
In line with promoting values of dialogue and coexistence, His Beatitude participated in a special discussion session for the Week of Interfaith Harmony at the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce. Several religious and social figures, along with representatives from various institutions in the city, took part in the session.
Fr. Eyad Badr began the session by warmly welcoming His Beatitude, stating: "Our gathering here is a small reflection of the larger Jordan, and responding to His Majesty King Abdullah II's call strengthens the bond of true fraternity."
In his speech, His Beatitude emphasized the importance of implementing the Amman Message, which has spread from the kingdom to the world, noting that the Hashemite leadership plays a pivotal role in spreading the values of peace and coexistence. He said: "Peace and violence cannot coexist, and we need to enhance a culture of dialogue and understanding among all groups."
The Governor of Zarqa expressed his happiness with the meeting, saying: "We welcome the guest of Jordan, His Beatitude Cardinal, and affirm that this meeting is a true reflection of His Majesty's vision, which is based on the principle that religion is for God and the homeland is for all."
After the discussion session, His Beatitude visited the Hashemite University, where he was welcomed by the university president, Professor Dr. Khaled Hisham Al-Hayari, along with Professor Nayef Haddad, head of the Department of Tourism and Antiquities at the university.
His Beatitude expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, praising the strong relationships among the different components of Jordanian society, and emphasizing the importance of meetings that promote the message of peace and love between religions. He also stressed the need to continue spreading the values of harmony and fraternity, praising the university’s role in serving the local community in Zarqa, through providing training programs that meet the labor market’s needs and contributing to raising awareness on health, environmental, and other important community initiatives.
Following this visit, His Beatitude visited the Mudieb Haddad Factory, where he learned about the factory's role in supporting the local economy and providing job opportunities for the area's residents.
His Beatitude concluded his pastoral visit to Zarqa with a celebratory Mass that brought the parishioners together in a spiritual atmosphere of gratitude and appreciation for the days filled with meetings and blessings.
In his final homily, His Beatitude expressed his deep appreciation for the parish priest and the pastoral council for their efforts and companionship during the visit, saying: "Now I truly feel that I am part of you, not only by my title as a shepherd but through my relationship with you as a believing community."
