Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - King Abdullah II held talks at the Vatican with Pope Francis on efforts to boost cooperation, dialogue, coexistence and love between religions, cultures and peoples, means to enhance relations between Jordan and the Vatican, the latest developments in the Middle East as well as efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.

The King, who arrived in the Vatican on Monday, stressed Jordan's keenness to promote cooperation with the Vatican in the context of the joint message to spread love and peace between nations and support coexistence and tolerance as common values shared by followers of Islam and Christianity.

He said Jordan is working with all the parties to promote the language of dialogue, communication and understanding among the followers of monotheistic religions and renounce all forms of religious and intellectual fanaticism.

His Majesty pointed out to Jordan's hosting of a conference last year on challenges facing Arab Christians and ways of addressing them to preserve their important role, mainly in the city of Jerusalem, and enhance their presence as an important component of the Arab world.

King Abdullah welcomed the expected visit of His Holiness to Jordan on May 24, the first since his election as head of the Catholic Church as it will enhance the message of coexistence among the Middle East nations and support efforts to achieve peace in the region.

The King and the Pope also discussed efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East where His Majesty reiterated Jordan's stance and continued efforts with all active international parties to support peace between the Palestinians and Israelis to arrive at a just and comprehensive peace in line with the two-state solution.

On the situation in Syria, King Abdullah stressed the need to arrive at a comprehensive political solution that ends the suffering of the Syrian people, pointing in this regard to Jordan's efforts to host Syrian refugees who are placing an increasing pressure on the Kingdom's scarce resources.

Pope Francis said he was looking forward to visiting Jordan next month and thanked the King for his visit to the Vatican which reflects his keenness to strengthen ties with the Vatican and enhance coexistence between Muslims and Christians.

His Holiness also praised His Majesty's efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East as well as the King's wisdom in dealing with various crises and challenges facing the region.

He also hailed Jordan's role in enhancing moderation and openness towards various world nations.

The Pontiff’s visit to the Kingdom is the fourth in half a century, starting with Pope Paul VI’s tour of Jordan and Palestine in 1964.

*Petra