King Abdullah meets Pope and Italian leaders amid regional peace push

King Abdullah II of Jordan held a series of high-level meetings in Rome on Tuesday, reinforcing Jordan’s diplomatic engagement on the global stage.

During an audience with Pope Leo, the King emphasized the strong ties between Jordan and the Vatican, particularly in their shared commitment to promoting tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. Both leaders reiterated the importance of protecting religious minorities and preserving holy sites, especially in Jerusalem.

The Jordanian monarch also met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, with whom he discussed bilateral cooperation in areas such as economic development, regional stability, and cultural exchange.

Later, King Abdullah held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two had already met a day earlier in Sharm el-Sheikh, during the signing ceremony of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered under Donald Trump's peace plan.

King Abdullah and Prime Minister Meloni reaffirmed their support for the full implementation of the agreement and called for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

These diplomatic efforts come as part of Jordan’s broader role in regional mediation and humanitarian diplomacy, particularly amid the ongoing challenges in the Middle East.