A large church built on the banks of the Jordan River, at the site of Jesus’ baptism, was inaugurated on January 10 by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. The Church of the Baptism of Christ, located in the historic site of Al-Maghtas, was consecrated during a ceremony attended by over 6,000 faithful, including 100 priests and 15 bishops from various countries.
The church, one of the largest in the Middle East, was built through a collaboration between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Jordanian architect Nadim Muasher. The project received significant funding, including one million euros from the Hungarian government. The church features stunning architecture, with yellowish stone from Hebron in the West Bank and stained glass windows made in Lebanon.
During the consecration ceremony, Cardinal Parolin focused on the mystery of God’s sacrifice for humanity’s salvation. He invited the faithful to renew their baptism and commitment, especially during the Jubilee 2025. The church has been designated as a place of pilgrimage, where believers can receive a plenary indulgence during the Holy Year celebrations.
The inauguration of the church is a significant event for Jordan, which has been working to preserve its Christian heritage and attract pilgrims to the Holy Land. The country has borne the brunt of ongoing conflict in the region, with tourist numbers dropping by almost 70% over the past year. However, Cardinal Pizzaballa assured that Jordan is a safe and stable country, and encouraged Jordanian Christians not to emigrate.