Amman, Jan. 29 (Petra) – Father Rifaat Bader, director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, met Wednesday with Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, the newly appointed Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, extending his best wishes for the cardinal’s new mission.

During their meeting at the Vatican, they discussed the importance of interfaith dialogue in today’s world, highlighting the efforts of Cardinal Miguel ?ngel Ayuso Guixot and the late Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. They also reflected on Pope Francis’ seven visits to the Arab world, including Jordan and Palestine (2014), Egypt (2017), the UAE and Morocco (2019), Iraq (2021), and Bahrain (2022).

Father Bader commended Jordan’s distinguished role in promoting dialogue, citing initiatives launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II, such as the Amman Message (2004), the A Common Word initiative (2007), and the World Interfaith Harmony Week (2010). He also emphasized Jordan’s humanitarian role in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons.

He invited Cardinal George to visit the Jordanian exhibition “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity,” which will be held at the Vatican from Jan. 31 to Feb. 28. Organized by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the exhibition aims to showcase Jordan’s rich Christian heritage and serve as an open invitation for the world to explore the kingdom’s religious history and message of peace and coexistence.

//Petra// AF
29/01/2025 22:10:45