Pope meets with Catholic Centre delegation from Jordan

AMMAN — Pope Francis on Wednesday greeted an Arabic-speaking crowd, especially the members of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media from Jordan, during a general audience at St Peter's Square in the Vatican. 

According to the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media, the Pope, in his closing greeting said: "I greet the Arabic-speaking believers, especially the members of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media, who have come from Jordan." 

Addressing thousands of pilgrims from around the world, the Pope said: "In the midst of the difficulties that the world is experiencing today, the word of God remains the only safe refuge, the guide, and the source of the necessary strength to face life's challenges with hope. May the Lord bless and protect you all from all harm." 

After the meeting, Pope Francis met with members of the Catholic Centre delegation. 

The director of the centre, Father Rif'at Bader, presented His Holiness with holy soil and water from the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, offered by the Jordan Tourism Board. He also presented a mosaic panel depicting the centre’s logo and the logo of the "Abouna" website

The visit of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media delegation to the Vatican marks the occasion of the centre’s 10th anniversary of its establishment and the 20th  anniversary of the founding of the "Abouna" website. 

The delegation is also participating in the celebrations of the installation of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, as a cardinal in the Catholic Church, which will take place on Saturday.