His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday sent a cable to Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal and head of the Franciscan Custody in the Holy Land, Father Pierre Batista Pizzaballa, expressing His and Her Majesty Queen Rania's deepest condolences over the death of Father Michele Piccirillo.

The King paid tribute to Piccirillo's efforts and significant role in the excavation of Christian religious sites in Jordan and Palestine, citing his honourable services and continued interaction with the Jordanian community, as well as his efforts to enhance tolerance and dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

Father Piccirillo died on Sunday in Italy.