The area has been designated as a national park to preserve the site and make it a significant pilgrimage destination. The park is administered by the Baptism Site Commission, an independent foundation chaired by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, a member of the royal house and advisor to King Abdullah II for cultural and religious affairs.
At the initiative of the Commission, Christian churches of various denominations have each been allocated land to construct religious buildings, at a short distance from the river. The Latin Church is located a couple of kilometers from the identified site of the baptism of Jesus and has its own access to the Jordan River.
Speaking to the press before the Mass, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, reiterated the call “for an immediate ceasefire and end of resorting to weapons, killing, displacement, and demolition of homes” in Gaza. He expressed gratitude to the royal family in Jordan, the government, and the armed forces “that continuously provide humanitarian aid.” He also expressed gratitude to the Jordanian Hospital and the Hashemite Charitable Organization for their support and assistance as it was through these institutions that the Christians of the Holy Family parish in northern Gaza received humanitarian aid on Christmas Eve.
Dr. Imad Hijazin, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, also spoke, emphasizing the strategic importance of the site for Jordanian tourism. Hijazin had just returned from a visit to the Vatican where a Jordanian delegation met with officials from various dicasteries, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State. The purpose was to boost Christian pilgrimages in Jordan, particularly at this site, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site since 2015. The patriarch also joined in this appeal. “Jordan is holy land. I reiterate my invitation to pilgrims from all parts of the world to visit Jordan,” he said.
Before presiding at the Mass, Pizzaballa, collected water from the Jordan River in a vessel. The water was blessed during the Mass and then sprinkled on the faithful as an act of renewal of their baptismal vows on the occasion of this feast.
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