Site of Moses’ death reopens

A site in Jordan which is traditionally seen as the site of the death of Moses is reopening for public access after a decade.

Located on the 1,000-metre Mount Neba, some 20kms south of the capital Amman, the site has been a place of pilgrimage from at least the 1930s when monks took responsibility for what had been an archaeological excavation. Both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI visited the site.

Restoration work began in 2007 after the remains of an ancient church were uncovered, but were initially deemed unfit for a permanent memorial to the story of Moses.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, special envoy for Pope Francis and prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, presided over the opening of the newly-renovated church.

“The spiritual treasures that this place holds today are returned to Jordan and to humanity,” he said. “The figure of Moses, as a prophet, friend of God and giver of the law, is indeed held in high esteem by our Jewish, Christian and Muslim brothers.”

From the summit of Mount Nebo, visitors are afforded views of Jerusalem, Jericho and the West Bank.