Madaba, June 25 (Petra) — Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin
Patriarch of Jerusalem, called on Wednesday for deeper coexistence
and solidarity, urging greater dialogue and shared responsibility
amid mounting regional challenges and growing divisions.

Speaking during a meeting at the American University of Madaba,
attended by ambassadors, ministers, members of parliament, and other
dignitaries, Pizzaballa reflected on his pastoral letter and the
context surrounding its preparation during what he described as a
historically significant and turbulent era.

Archbishop Iyad Twal, Jordan’s Patriarchal Vicar for the Latin
Church, said the pastoral letter reflects an open, human-centered
vision that encourages a deeper reading of present realities and
promotes a culture of hope, responsibility, and coexistence. He added
that it raises key questions on confronting fear while safeguarding
human dignity under difficult circumstances.

Chairman of AUM’s Board of Trustees Azzam Shweihat noted the
importance of human values and social cohesion, emphasizing that
education should prepare students not only for professional success
but also for responsible and engaged citizenship.

Amer Hafi, academic advisor at the Royal Institute for
Inter-religious Studies, called for strengthening a culture of
dialogue, coexistence, and respect for diversity, while fostering the
shared values that unite communities and support a future built on
mutual understanding.

Author and academic Shahla Ujayli pointed to Jerusalem’s role as a
meeting point of spiritual, cultural, and human significance,
stressing the importance of knowledge, dialogue, and intercultural
engagement in preserving identity and building a more humane future.

//Petra// HA