His Majesty is awarded the Lamp of Peace of St. Francis Award

by Zef Dahlia - 15:03

His Majesty King Abdullah II accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania were in Assis, Italy for the Lamp of Peace Award ceremony. His Majesty was the 2019 recipient of the award and as presented by German's Chancellor Angela Merkel and Custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Father Mauro Gambetti.

The ceremony was held at the Upper Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and His Majesty was presented the award by the Custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Father Mauro Gambetti on behalf of the Franciscan community, the "Lamp of Peace".

Friday's rites began with a visit to Saint Francis' grave in the crypt of the monastery, followed by the choral ceremony in its main basilica.

His Majesty was given this award for his work in promoting human rights, interfaith dialogue both in Jordan, Middle East and globally, Middle East peace, and for taking in Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict in their country

While presenting this award to His Majesty, in a speech given by German Chancellor Angela Merkel(who is the 2018 recipient of the same award for her peace and reconciliation work she has been doing in Germany), praised the Jordanian monarch for sending "an important signal in 2007 when he supported the letter sent by dozens of Islamic scholars to Christian leaders."

She also mentioned his 2010 call for a UN "World Interfaith Harmony Week" that is now celebrated annually across the world in February. In addition, the chancellor praised Jordan for not "closing its eyes" when millions fled violence and conflict in Syria: "It (Jordan) responded to the cruelty of war with humanity, helping those who had lost everything."

His Majesty gave a speech after accepting his award where he began by acknowledge the Lent Season where he said: beautiful Basilica in this holy season of Lent, and I think of the beautiful spirit that has brought all of us here—together in peace, together in hope, and I feel humbled to share in this occasion.

He then urged the world to take action to safeguard Jerusalem. In his speech, His Majesty says “As Hashemite Custodian of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, we are bound by a special, personal duty to the security and future of the holy city,” His Majesty noted.

“Ties of love and concern bind the holy city to billions of Muslims and Christians around the world, and Jerusalem should be and must be a unifying city of peace,” the King underscored.

He also paid tribute to “the suffering families and victims of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, two weeks ago.”

“Such evil, wherever it happens, is our suffering, too,” the King said, asking the attendees to observe a moment of silence for the victims of the New Zealand attack and all victims of hatred.

To not make this post long you can read His Majesty's speech here

Local and international public figure were present including the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel , the President of the Italian Council, Giuseppe Conte, the President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Card. Gualtiero Bassetti , and the prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Card. Leonardo Sandrthe.

The "Lamp of Peace" is a replica of a glass oil lamp that burns at the side of the grave of Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order behind the peace prize. The award aims to honor those work towards promoting peace and harmony.

It was first presented in 1981 to Polish trade union leader Lech Walesa. Other recipients include Pope John Paull II, the Dalai Lama, Saint Teresa of Calcutta and former Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos received the prize in 2016, along with the Nobel Peace Prize, for his efforts at reconciliation amid his country's civil war.

Following the ceremony, Their Majesties went to the convert to sign the guestbook and His Majesty signed the peace flag.