A quarter of a century ago, the entire humanity was awaiting the great event, namely the start of the third millennium marking the start of years crossing the second millennium barrier, which was called at the time the Great Jubilee Year. At the time, the world with all its shades got ready for that year, and tourism in particular was a major concern for the major tourist countries which undoubtedly benefited from the resuscitation of the tourism sector.
The Churches of the world were among the major celebrant sides in this unique year because the year 2,000 marked the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. One of its main features was the pilgrimage to the holy sites, in its capacity as a sign marking the Jubilee Year. In addition to visiting the main and historic Churches in the Vatican, several sites in the world were named as major pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year, and we had a large share of that in Jordan, as the Holy See approved the consideration of five major pilgrimage sites. This fact spread among the tourist-affiliated agencies in our country, as well as among the groups of tourists and pilgrims coming to our Holy Land. As a reminder, these sites are the Baptism Site, Mar Elias in Ajloun, Mount Nebo in Madaba, the Grotto of Our Lady of the Mount in Anjara, and Mukawir (Machaerus) in Madaba.
That year was culminated with two major events, namely the start of the annual pilgrimage to the Baptism Site in our modern time, and the major historic visit conducted by Pope John Paul II , who was canonized later, to the Holy Land, which started with a two-day visit to Jordan.He was the first Pope to visit Jordan during the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah II, followed of course by Pope Benedict in 2009 and Pope Francis in 2014. I believe that His Majesty, who is today the dean of Arab leaders, is the only leader in the world to have received three Popes during his reign. Hopefully more is on the way.
I mention this while I follow up the world's preparations for the next Jubilee year 2025, which is referred to as the Jubilee every 25 years, where the city of Rome, including the Vatican, is expected to welcome not fewer than 30 million tourists and pilgrims. Consequently, we witness the great preparations under way for the Jubilee celebrations including roads, transport vehicles, hotel rooms in addition to the spiritual preparedness of believers who will make a pilgrimage to the holy places next year, and enter through the doors designated for the Jubilee Year, which according to tradition are only opened during the Jubilee years, namely every quarter of a century or in exceptional jubilees endorsed by His Holiness the Pope. Consequently, the spiritual growth and seeking forgiveness of sins with sincere hearts are the bases of the Jubilee Year which are in concomitant with pilgrimage to the holy sites, and the holy celebrations prepared with precision in the Vatican and the world.
Locally, politics casts its shadow over the region due to the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon. Consequently, we have not made detailed planning for next year and the pilgrimage sites have not been rehabilitated, but as we learned from senior ecclesiastical sources, notably from Cardinal Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem, when he met with Latin priests in Amman days ago, that Mount Nebo and its historic church will be named as a major pilgrimage site for next year.
The Grand Church at the Baptism Site, whose foundation stone was laid by His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Holiness Pope Benedict on May 10, 2009, is also expected to be inaugurated. It is hoped that Cardinal Pierbattista of Jerusalem will be accompanied by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during the celebration scheduled to be held on January 10, 2025, during which the celebrations of the jubilee will begin. This will not be a reflection of happiness in toto unless the sounds of war and weapons in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine and in Lebanon are silenced. Thus, the Churches will pray of the next period in preparation for Christmas hoping that Christmas this year will unfold a new year during which justice is born and a new horizon of the aspired peace emerges.
