Day 2: Pope Benedict in Amman, Jordan - Visit to Memorial of Moses at Mount Nebo and the Al-Hussein Bin Talal Mosque

On the Schedule Today (Saturday May 9, 2009)

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

• 07.15 - Private Mass in the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature of Amman, Jordan
• 09.15 - Visit to the ancient Basilica of the Memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo
• 10.30 - Blessing of the cornerstone of Madaba University of the Latin Patriarchate
• 11.30 - Visit to the Hashemite museum and the Al-Hussein Bin Talal Mosque in Amman, Jordan
• 11.45 - Meeting with Muslim religious leaders, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Rectors of universities in Jordan in front of the mosque al-Hussein bin Talal in Amman
• 17.30 - Celebration of Vespers with priests, men and women religious, seminarians and ecclesial movements in the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Saint-Georges in Amman

Spoken Words of the Holy Father

• Visit to the ancient Basilica of the Memorial of Moses at Mount Nebo (May 9, 2009)
• Blessing of the foundation stone of Madaba University of the Latin Patriarchate (May 9, 2009)
• Meeting with Muslim religious leaders, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Rectors of universities in Jordan in front of the mosque al-Hussein bin Talal in Amman (May 9, 2009)
• Celebration of Vespers with priests, men and women religious, seminarians and ecclesial movements in the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Saint-Georges in Amman (May 9, 2009)

Responses

• Address to H.H. Pope Benedict XVI at the King Hussein Mosque, Amman Jordan, by H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal.

Coverage and Commentary

General

• Pope: believers reject the “corruption” of violence and “cultivate” reason Benedict XVI repeats the Regensburg concept on the enlightened reason of faith. On Mount Nebo he affirms the “inseparable bond which united the Church and Jewish people”. Appeal that Iraqi Christians are guaranteed “fundamental rights of peaceful coexistence with their fellow citizens”. (Asia News)

On Benedict's visit to the Basilica of the Memorial of Moses at Mount Nebo

• Pope visits ancient biblical site, launches new university in Jordan, by John Thavis (Catholic News Service)
• Pope: Catholic Church and Jews share an 'inseparable bond' Jerusalem Post
• Pope Benedict begins his pilgrimage on Mt. Nebo (Catholic News Agency)
• Benedict XVI Reiterates Church's Link to Jews: Papal Pilgrimage Begins Overlooking the Promised Land (Zenit)

On Benedict's visit to the Mosque of al-Hussein bin Talal in Amman

• Benedict XVI sets new papal record for mosque visits He said: Muslims, Christians must 'bear witness to all that is good and true', by John Allen Jr. (National Catholic Reporter)
• Visiting mosque, pope says believing in God means respecting others, by Cindy Wooden (Catholic News Service)
• Jordan: Official thanks pope for expressing regret (Associated Press) The top religious adviser to Jordan's king thanked Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday for expressing regret after a speech three years ago that many Muslims deemed insulting to Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
• Pope's address disappoints Muslim leaders Jordanian clerics expressed disappointment that Pope Benedict XVI in an address to Muslim leaders on Saturday failed to offer a new apology for remarks seen as targeting Islam. (AFP)
• Pope calls for Christian-Muslim harmony, by Philip Pullella and Tom Henegh (Reuters, Africa)
• Commentary: Pope's message to Muslims might prove risky, by John Allen, Jr. (CNN.com)
• Pope Benedict's Latest Take on Islam, by Jeff Israely. (Time)
• Sole-searching questions after Benedict visit to mosque, by Tom Heneghan (Reuters' Faithworld)

On Benedict's celebration of Vespers in the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Saint-Georges

• Pope encourages church in Jordan to make its voice heard, by John Thavis (Catholic News Service)
• Pope Voices Esteem for Churches in the East (Zenit)
• Pope celebrates Vespers, encourages Eastern Christians to give witness (Catholic News Agency)
• Pope pays tribute to Eastern churches in Holy Land (AFP)