Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, made his remarks in a meeting at Jordan's capital, Amman, the Vatican News reported on Jan. 13.
Cardinal Parolin discussed “the ongoing crises in the region, the political and ecclesial situation in each country, [and] signs of hope in some areas,” the Vatican’s Press Office said.
Parolin also discussed the “severe humanitarian conditions affecting populations most impacted by conflicts” during the meeting attended by 12 apostolic nuncios.
Apostolic Nuncios, accredited to Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen, attended the meeting.
“Hope was expressed that there would soon be a cessation of hostilities on all fronts and that the Middle East could be a land of peace,” the statement said.
The gathering also expressed hope that the Middle East would become a land “where Christians remain an essential element of fraternal coexistence among the various religions and of the progress of the respective nations.”
On Jan. 10, Parolin consecrated the Church of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Maghtas, known in the Bible as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on the banks of the Jordan River, VOA reported.
Many of the Christian Churches consider Al-Maghtas to be the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
Parolin celebrated Mass, accompanied by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, during the ceremony, which also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s annual pilgrimage to Jesus’ Baptismal site.
Thousands of Jordanians, Palestinians, other Arabs, and diplomats attended the historic event, VOA reported.
Following the Church’s consecration, Parolin had expressed his “hopes for positive developments in Syria and with the election of the new president of Lebanon,” in an interview, the Vatican News reported.
Parolin also spoke to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun who was elected on Jan. 9, it reported.
Parolin congratulated Aoun on his election as the President of Lebanon and “extended his best wishes, assuring him of his prayers,” in a phone call.
He also noted “with pleasure the prompt appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam,” on Jan. 13.
Until Aoun’s election, Lebanon faced a prolonged presidential vacancy issue, a political crisis that had left the country without a head of state for over two years.
After President Michel Aoun's term ended on Oct. 31, 2022, Lebanon’s parliament failed to elect a new president during 12 sessions.
Former President Michel Aoun himself was elected in 2016 only after 46 parliamentary sessions.