Pope receives King Abdullah II of Jordan in Audience

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis on Tuesday received King Abdullah II of Jordan in an audience at the Vatican.

In a communique following the audience, the Holy See Press office said the “cordial conversations focused above all on the theme of the promotion of peace and stability in the Mideast, with particular reference to the question of Jerusalem and the role of the Hashemite Sovereign as Custodian of the Holy Places.”

The communique continued, “In this context, the commitment was renewed to encourage negotiations among the interested parties, as well as promoting inter-religious dialogue.”

Finally, the Press Office stated that the conversation touched on “the importance of helping Christians remain in the Middle East.” The two leaders also spoke of “the positive contributions” Christians “bring to the societies of the region, of which they are an integral part.”

Following the Audience with Pope Francis, King Abdullah met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.