Pope Benedict XVI on Friday statrted his regional tour in Jordan, expressing his "deep respect" for Islam. According to AFP, the pope said he came to Jordan "as a pilgrim."
The visit "gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community, and to pay tribute to the leadership shown by His Majesty the King in promoting a better understanding of the virtues proclaimed by Islam."
He noted that he viewed religious freedom as "a fundamental human right." "It is my fervent hope and prayer that respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of every man and woman will come to be increasingly affirmed and defended, not only throughout the Middle East, but in every part of the world," he said.
En route to Amman, the pope told journalists that dialogue between Christianity, Judaism and Islam is "very important for peace and so that everyone can follow the tenets of their faith."
The church "is not a political force but a spiritual force which can contribute to the progress of the peace process" in the Middle East, he said.
In his welcoming address, King Abdullah urged an expansion of Christian-Muslim dialogue to dispel "divisions." Stressing the "importance of co-existence and harmony between Muslim and Christian," the king Abdullah warned that "voices of provocation, ambitious ideologies of division, threaten unspeakable suffering."
"We welcome your commitment to dispel the misconceptions and divisions that have harmed relations between Christians and Muslims... It is my hope that together we can expand the dialogue we have opened," he told the pontiff.
Benedict then travelled to the capital some 30 kilometres (18 miles) away for his first stop, the Regina Pacis centre for the handicapped.
"Friends, unlike the pilgrims of old, I do not come bearing gifts or offerings. I come simply with an intention, a hope, to pray for the precious gift of unity and peace, most specifically for the Middle East," the pope said.
The Pope's itinerary in the kingdom will include Mount Nebo in Madaba, where he will bless the cornerstone of Madaba University, which was built by the Roman Catholic Church. According to Petra news agency, he will also visit The Hashemite Museum and Al Hussein Ben Talal Mosque and meet a number of Muslim scholars, diplomats and presidents of local universities.
The pope will also particiapte in vespers prayers at the Greek Catholic Church in Amman and will hold a mass at Amman Stadium Al Hussein Sport City.
