Queen Rania of Jordan traveled to Rome and the Vatican on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her country's relations with the Holy See. In a gesture of diplomacy between the two states, they jointly organized an exhibition.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Secretary of State of the Holy See
Jordan really wanted to give special importance to this exhibition by ensuring the queen's presence. I think it is very significant that the queen is here.
Rania took the tour showcasing the 90 pieces brought directly from 34 archaeological sites in Jordan and which, for the first time, are on display outside the country.
Moreover, she did not make the visit alone. She was accompanied by the daughter of the President of the Republic of Italy and by the top diplomat of the Holy See.
The queen stopped piece by piece to listen to each explanation, in what could be considered an interreligious wink.
Although the Jordanian royal family is Muslim and the country's official religion is Islam, all the works on display tell the story of Christianity linked to this Middle Eastern land.
Hence the official image of the exhibition is a fish, catalogued as the first Christian symbol. If not, look at the shape of this turquoise glass bottle from the 6th century A.D.
Jordan is also part of what is known as the 'Holy Land', and has several biblical sites, such as the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized, and Mount Nebo, where Moses died.
This country is so important for Christians that four popes have visited it: Benedict XVI, John Paul II and Francis. But the first was Paul VI. Moreover, with his trip in 1964, papal trips were inaugurated.
