Address of H. Eminence Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
At the Graduation ceremony of the Class of 2025 (11th graduating class) of the AUM
Cultural Palace – Amman
Your Excellences ,
The Apostolic Nuncio, and Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan,
The chairman and members of the Board of Trustees,
The President of the University, administrators, and academics,
Graduated, parents, and friends,
Good evening.
I have come to you from Jerusalem, which greets you, greets your love, and greets your solidarity. I express this profound brotherhood and friendship between Jerusalem and Amman. May God bless Jerusalem and Amman.
Today's graduation ceremony of the 11th graduating class is a source of jubilation and happiness for the graduates and their dear families who have strived to see this joyful day in their lives, as well as the lives of their children. It is a day of fruition that is now evident in our sons and daughters. Thus, we address our families saying, “Rejoice, you have the right to rejoice in your sons and daughters.”
The American University of Madaba is a source of cultural and intellectual radiance and exceptional quality in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as well as in the world. It was established by the Latin Patriarchate in 2009, when its foundation stone was laid by Pope Benedict XVI. Since then and a year later, the university has flourished. His Majesty King Abdullah II patronized the official opening in 2013, and today it marks the 11th graduating class of its sons and daughters. Thanks are conveyed to all the efforts exerted in the university. I convey well-wishes to chairman of the board of trustees Mr. Azzam Shweihat, University President Professor Mamoun Akroush, and to everyone who works with them for the progress of this university, its advancement, and its progression to the highest positions and standard. I refer in this regard to high percentage of employment opportunities for which the university graduates enjoy, as the employment rate reached 95 per cent of our dear graduates. This is a record number attained in record time; thus, I extend my thanks and appreciation.
As you know, the university's progress is a sign of security and stability in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This is due to the wise leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, and everyone who works for Jordan's interests, progress, and prosperity. Jordan's diplomacy has become well-known and is recognized around the world for its efforts to establish peace and justice in the region and the world. This call for justice is viewed especially in Gaza, which I visited a few weeks ago and saw the extent of the destruction there. Among the destruction that befell the people of Gaza was the absence of knowledge and education, the absence of schools, and the absence of universities that once prided themselves on educating young men and women to prepare them to serve the nation and humanity. We ask God Almighty to bestow the blessing of peace, to cease the fire of war, to deliver aid to the people of Gaza and all of Palestine, and for life to return after much effort and suffering, and for schools and universities to resume. Let us hold this graduation ceremony for the sake of peace and justice and in support of Jordanian diplomatic and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
As for knowledge and education, my friends, they are the foundation of humanity, which we aspire to serve and build in the future. You, graduates, are the future, and you are the hope. You know that this year is the year of hope, the year of the Jubilee. You are the class of the Jubilee, the blessed Jubilee of 2025, and during next month we will live the Jubilee of educators: schools and universities. This is a year of the Christian calendar and of the birth of Jesus Christ, whose baptism in the blessed Jordan River we will celebrate in five years' time, the 2,000th anniversary of whose baptism we will also celebrate. You are the hope, you are the hope for building humanity and supporting the reform efforts undertaken by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the political, administrative, and economic spheres. You are the ones who will carry out all these plans. You are the Jubilee cohort, the cohort of hope, and the cohort of a beautiful future, God willing.
Beloved, as Pope Leo XIV says: “Ours is a time for dialogue and bridge-building”. Therefore, we desire that this university continue its cultural and spiritual journey to promote the culture of dialogue as a path, mutual cooperation as a behavior, and mutual understanding as a method and standard. Therefore, we emphasize that all our institutions affiliated with the Latin Patriarchate are institutions for building bridges with society, between Muslims and Christians, and between the nationalities and ethnic groups that study and learn at this university and find in it a strong fortress of love, brotherhood, and the family spirit.
I congratulate the graduates, students, and their families, and the whole family of AUM. May the Lord bless your efforts for the Glory of God and the good of all the citizens of our beloved Jordan.
