Day 1: Pope Benedict visits Amman, Jordan

On the Schedule Today (Friday May 8, 2009)

This post will be updated with news and commentary on the day's events

• 09.30 - Departure by plane from the International Airport Leonardo da Vinci at Fiumicino (Rome) for Queen Alia International Airport at Amman (Jordan)
• 14.30 - Welcoming Ceremony at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan
• 15.30 - Visit to Regina Pacis Center in Amman
• 17.40 - Courtesy visit to their Majesties the King and Queen of Jordan at the Royal palace in Amman-Husseiny

Spoken words of Pope Benedict XVI

• Interview of the Holy Father during the flight to the Holy Land (May 8, 2009)
• Welcoming ceremony at Queen Alia International Airport of Amman (May 8, 2009)
• Visit to the Regina Pacis Center of Amman (May 8, 2009)

Coverage & Commentary

• Pope opens Holy Land visit with call for tolerance, visit to disabled, by John Thavis. Catholic News Service.
• Emphasis on Islam makes pope's trip an original, by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter
• Jordan welcomes Pope with call for new interfaith dialogue, by Mohammad Ghazal. Jordan Times
• Pontiff Defends Role of Disabled in Society Zenit News Service.
• Pope’s pilgrimage for peace, by Suha Maayeh and Hamida Ghafour. The National
• Jordan queen all a-Twitter over papal visit (AFP) - "Special day here in Amman; not everyday pope drop s by 4 a visit."