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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Papal plane landed at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport at 1:00p.m. to start his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His Holiness was received by Prince Ghazi, chief adviser to the King for religious and cultural affairs and the King’s personal envoy. Other dignitaries meeting the Pope at the airport were Jordan's Ambassador to France and Holy Sea, The Governor of Amman, and a number of religious and military officials. The Pope's motorcade drove through the streets of Amman toward at AlHusseinieh Palace where He was welcomed by King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.

An atmosphere of excitement dominated the day. Jordanian, Muslims and Christians, lined up the streets waving both Jordanian and the Vatican flags. In his welcoming speech, King Abdullah II stressed the importance of peaceful dialogue and the role Arab Christians as an integral part of Jordan’s heritage.

Pope Francis emphasized the need to reach a peaceful solution to Syria’s crisis. He noted that despite the minority status of the Christians of Jordan, who existed since Jesus' time, their contributions to Jordanian society, schools and medical services are significant.