Washington, D.C., June 5, 2026
Patriarchate of Jerusalem
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem met with President Donald Trump in Washington yesterday to discuss safeguarding the authentic Christian presence in the Holy Land and the broader Middle East. Their conversation centered on securing the right to worship and preserving the sanctity of holy sites for people of all faiths, in keeping with the deep spiritual and historical roots of the region’s Christian community.
During the meeting, the Patriarch conferred on President Trump the one of the Patriarchate’s highest honors, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem reports.
The Patriarch laid out a series of concerns and challenges facing the churches of the Holy Land. Chief among them were sustaining the authentic Christian presence, protecting holy sites, advancing human dignity, and strengthening the Church’s mission of pastoral care, mercy, and peacebuilding.
The talks also touched on restrictions affecting both Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land in relation to access to places of worship and religious observance. The meeting drew attention to recent Israeli-imposed restrictions and closures in Jerusalem affecting the Holy Sepulchre and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which disrupted local worshipers during recent religious holidays in the city.
Noting that the Mother of All Churches takes inspiration from the Biblical beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” the Patriarchate affirmed that the Church continues its spiritual mission to promote peace and human dignity around the world. He pointed to ongoing efforts concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict, mentioning forthcoming visits to relevant nations—including a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin—intended to foster dialogue and nurture a spiritual and political climate conducive to stability and peace among nations.
The Patriarch further underscored that His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan remains a cornerstone in protecting the Christian presence and safeguarding holy sites in the Holy Land.
His Beatitude highlighted the King’s initiatives to restore and maintain Christian and Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, calling them an unwavering commitment to protecting the Holy City’s religious heritage and spiritual identity. He also noted the inauguration of the Orthodox University at the Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas)—where Jesus Christ was baptized—as an important step toward anchoring freedom of worship, religious education, and the Christian presence in Jordan.
The Patriarch invited President Trump to visit Jordan and the Baptism Site, affirming that the Kingdom is a land of safety, security, and peace that honors monotheistic religions and protects the freedoms of their followers. He concluded by stating that Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, serves as a model of religious and social stability, continuing its pivotal role in defending and sustaining the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
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