The Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan and Iraq, Archbishop Francis Chullikat, said last week the Muslim community and the royal family of Jordan appreciated the fact that Benedict XVI decided to travel first to that country on his trip to the Holy Land. The Jordanians said it was an important gesture that has led to a “better perspective of Christians on the part of Muslims.”

Speaking to SIR news agency, the archbishop said, “Inter-religious dialogue has gotten an additional boost since the papal visit. Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammed Bin Talal, the king’s advisor in religious affairs, appreciated greatly the visit Benedict XVI made to the mosque as a gesture of respect to Muslims.  We also hope for positive results from this encounter so that the Muslim population will also be content.”

The nuncio also underscored that in Jordan, “The Pope reminded us that we can build and re-build upon peace and unity, and he went even further by speaking about hope and the will that its necessary for this work of re-building.

“The problems of a political nature that were present during the preparation of this trip have been overcome by his pilgrim testimony,” the papal nuncio said.