The historic ties between the Jordanian royal family and the Vatican have been strengthened once again as King Abdullah II and Queen Rania became the first reigning monarchs to meet privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace.
The Hashemite royals have long been recognized by the Holy See for their commitment to protecting Christian holy sites in a region marked by instability, as well as their efforts to promote peace and interfaith dialogue.
Although the couple did not attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV in May 2025, where they were represented by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the king’s cousin and senior advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs, they were present at the solemn farewell of Pope Francis.
Their relationship with Jorge Bergoglio was notable. Less than two months before his passing on April 21, 2025, the ailing pope met with Queen Rania during the International Summit on Children’s Rights in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall.
As he emphasized at the time, “Nothing is worth more than the life of a child,” a position that echoed Jordan’s years of humanitarian support to Gaza, even during the most critical periods of conflict with Israel.
The private audience with Pope Leo XIV further reinforces these diplomatic and personal ties. During the meeting, King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to preserving and safeguarding Christian religious sites, including the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas), and explored avenues for cooperation to promote peace, tolerance, and dialogue.
The pope, for his part, acknowledged Jordan’s continued religious and historical role in protecting Islamic and Christian sacred sites in Jerusalem through the Hashemite Custodianship. He also cautioned against attacks on these holy sites.
Addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, King Abdullah stressed the urgent need to ensure the implementation of agreements to end the conflict and allow adequate aid to reach all affected areas.
The Jordanian monarch also reiterated that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the region, one that ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian state while promoting prosperity for the peoples of the Middle East.
The meeting, which included Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, concluded with an invitation for Pope Leo XIV to visit the Baptism Site of Jesus in the Hashemite Kingdom.