Pope in Jordan - Second stop: Mount Nebo

With innocent hearts, children are celebrating with their parents the pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI to Jordan, as a pastor and spiritual servant. The well-loved father and faithful servant will go on pilgrimage to Mount Nebo, where he will pray in the Basilica of the Prophet Moses. It was built by the first Christians of Jerusalem in order to honor Moses. This church became a basilica in the sixth century and has a collection of Byzantine mosaics on display. Outside, a serpent cross (the symbol of Moses' presence) overlooks the valley.Mount Nebo is located southeast of Amman, 800 meters above sea level. It overlooks the Dead Sea and the Jordanian valley. On sunny days, the view from the summit provides a panorama of the Dome of the Rock and the church towers in Jerusalem. "Nebo" stems from "Naba", the Babylonian god of trade. Nebo is mentioned in the Torah: "I went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho."From that mount, the Prophet Moses and his people saw the Promised Land before his death. Local tradition holds that Moses' tomb still exists here, but archeologists have yet to discover it.In 2000, Pope John Paul II prayed to the Lord of Abraham, Moses and the prophets on this holy mount. Pope Benedict XVI follows in his steps to assert that Jordan is a part of the Holy Land visited frequently by the Popes. Mount Nebo is included in these sacred sites.Images courtesy: Telelumiere

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