Visit to Mount Nebo

JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE
OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
TO THE HOLY LAND (MARCH 20-26, 2000)

GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II

VISIT TO THE MONASTERY ON MOUNT NEBO

Monday, 20 March 2000

Father Minister General,
Dear Friends,

Here on the heights of Mount Nebo I begin this stage of my Jubilee Pilgrimage. I think of the great figure of Moses and the new Covenant which God made with him on Mount Sinai. I give thanks to God for the ineffable gift of Jesus Christ, who sealed the Covenant with his blood and brought the Law to fulfilment. To him who is "he Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Rev 22:13), to him I dedicate every step of this journey which I make through the Land which was his.

On this first day, I am especially happy to greet you, Father Minister General, and to pay tribute to the magnificent witness given in this Land by the sons of Saint Francis through the Custody’s faithful service in the holy places down the centuries.

I am also pleased to greet the Governor of Madaba and the Mayor of the city. May the blessings of the Almighty be upon the people of the area! And may the peace of heaven fill the hearts of all who join me on my pilgrim path!