His Majesty King Abdullah met Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, stressing the importance of interfaith dialogue and the promotion of tolerance and moderation as key religious values.



During his meeting with the pontiff at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, the King, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania, discussed Jordan's efforts to illuminate the fundamental values of Islam, which, he said, eschews violence and advocates peaceful co-existence around the world.



One of Jordan's key initiatives has been the Amman Message, a document released last year, which advocates the realization of common ground among adherents of the three monotheistic faiths and urges the faithful to serve humanity. In his meeting with the pontiff, the King pointed out that the approval of the Amman Message by representatives of the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence last July reflected the consensus that exists among Muslims on the need to realize these objectives.



The King added that he valued the Vatican's efforts to promote global peace, saying that the adherents to the three monotheistic faiths must draw on their common values and unite against the global challenges of extremism and terrorism.



Values and principles common to the three religions also will be the focus of his discussions when he meets with religious leaders in the US in the coming days, he said.



Ahead of his meeting with the pope, in an article published in the Italian Corriere della Sera, King Abdullah urged people everywhere to “accept responsibility to reject hate, ignorance and violence.”



“This,” he said, “requires an honest and continuing dialogue between the West and the Muslim world.”



The King and Pope Benedict XVI re-affirmed the strong bilateral relations between Jordan and the Vatican, established between Jordan with the late Pope John Paul II. They stressed that furthering these ties was central to the achievement of peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East. The Pope said he valued the efforts of Jordan to promote the noble values of religions.



The meeting was attended by King's personal envoy and special advisor, His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, and Jordan's ambassador to the Vatican, Dina Qa'war.