CV NEWS FEED // Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently called the anticipated dedication of a new church in Jordan that commemorates the Baptism of the Lord “a moment of hope.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa told Vatican News that the Jan. 10 dedication of the church is a “symbol of unity and a testament to the Church’s desire for continuity, growth, and vitality in Jordan and throughout the Middle East,” an especially poignant event given the war raging in the area.
The church, known as the Church of the Baptism in Jordan, Al-Maghtas, stands on the spot believed to be the site of Jesus’ baptism. According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s website, the church is one of the largest in the Middle East and joins several other buildings and features already on site, including two monasteries, a visitor center, several gardens, and more.
The site is a popular pilgrimage destination, and is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has been designated as a special pilgrimage destination during the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, allowing pilgrims to receive plenary indulgences through the completion of the pilgrimage and specific acts of devotion.
Cardinal Pizzaballa noted that the Jubilee of Hope lends significance to the dedication, adding that 2025 also marks 25 years since Pope St. John Paul II visited the site in 2000.
“During that visit, Pope John Paul II described the location as ‘a place steeped in history,’ situated near ‘the remains of the world’s oldest city’ and depicted in the Scriptures as ‘a site bearing the imprint not only of man but of God Himself,’” Vatican News reported.
During the dedication, Cardinal Pizzaballa placed the relics of Pope St. John Paul II and the Holy Martyrs of Damascus, as well as other relics, inside the altar of the church, according to the Latin Patriarchate.
The Latin Patriarchate also added that the land for the church was donated by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2003. Vatican News emphasized the role the country played in building the church, stating that it “would not have been possible without the support of Jordan.”