AMMAN — Thousands of pilgrims on Friday participated in the 26th annual pilgrimage to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Bethany Beyond the Jordan), also known as Al Maghtas, one of the most significant Christian holy sites in Jordan.

 

The Mass was led by Latin Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Iyad Twal at the Church of the Baptism of the Lord, with the participation Vatican’s Ambassador to Jordan Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, Greek Catholic Patriarchal Administrator Archimandrite Paul Nazha, and the heads of the Maronite, Chaldean, Syriac and Armenian Catholic churches in Jordan.

 

Delegations from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Vatican media also attended, alongside MPs, ambassadors, diplomats, clergy and pilgrims from across the Kingdom.

 

Earlier in the day, the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media held a press briefing for local and international outlets. Centre Director Father Rifat Bader highlighted the significance of the annual event in promoting religious tourism and projecting Jordan’s spiritual heritage globally. Bader recalled His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to the Vatican last year, during which the King extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit the Baptism Site.

 

He also commended national institutions for supporting the event, including the Royal Commission for the Baptism Site, chaired by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the Tourism Ministry, the Jordan Tourism Board, and the security services.

 

Twal said this year’s pilgrimage follows the inauguration of the Church of the Baptism of the Lord last year and comes amid hopes for lasting peace following a period of calm in Gaza and Palestine. He concluded by praying for Jordan’s security and prosperity under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein.

 

Tourism Minister Imad Hijazin commended the Catholic Church for the continued organisation of the pilgrimage, describing it as a strategic platform to reinforce Jordan’s position as a primary religious tourism destination.

 

“Christianity began on this land and along the banks of the Jordan River,” Hijazin said, noting ongoing cooperation between the Royal Commission, the Baptism Site administration and the Tourism Ministry to enhance visitor experience and prepare for international religious jubilees scheduled for 2030 and 2033.

 

Vatican Dicastery for Communications Editorial Director Andrea Tornielli described Jordan as a “Holy Land rich in biblical history” and encouraged pilgrims to explore its sacred sites ahead of the 2033 Christian Jubilee marking 2,000 years since the Resurrection, as well as the 2030 Jubilee commemorating Christ’s baptism.

 

Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican on Saturday, addressed members of the Diplomatic Corps, expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the wider Palestinian territories.

 

“Despite the truce announced in October, the civilian population continues to endure a serious humanitarian crisis,” the Pope said, noting that the Holy See supports diplomatic efforts aimed at securing “a future of lasting peace and justice” for Palestinians in Gaza and the broader region.

 

He also reiterated that the two-state solution “remains the institutional perspective” capable of addressing the legitimate aspirations of both peoples, while warning of rising violence in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians “who have the right to live in peace in their own land”.