Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Sunday left for Rome for a one-day visit before heading to the US for a several-day working visit.



Their Majesties' meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on Monday will build on the strong relations that Jordan had established with the late Pope John Paul II. They will discuss ways in which Muslims and Christians can continue to work for peace, tolerance and coexistence during their talks.



In New York, King Abdullah will attend the September 14-16 UN World Summit, expected to be the largest gathering of world leaders in history, with an estimated 171 participants scheduled to attend. During the UN World Summit, leaders will seek to take action in the key areas of development, security, human rights and UN reform.



King Abdullah is scheduled to deliver a speech during the summit that will highlight Jordan's role in achieving regional peace and stability. He will also encourage international partnership between developed and developing countries as a cornerstone of global peace and prosperity.



The King will hold talks with several world leaders and officials on regional issues, including the situation in Iraq and the Middle East peace process, on the sidelines of the summit.



King Abdullah is also scheduled to participate in the inaugural meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative slated for September 15-17. The event, an initiative of former US President Bill Clinton, gathers world leaders and prominent personalities from the worlds of politics, business and science to discuss and develop creative strategies for poverty reduction, the use of religion as a force for reconciliation and conflict resolution and the implementation of new business models and technologies to combat climate change and strengthen governance.



While in New York, King Abdullah also plans to meet economic leaders to discuss economic opportunities in Jordan and to elucidate Jordan's efforts to realize regional stability.



Before arriving to New York, the King will address students on Tuesday at Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, DC. The King's address, “Traditional Islam: the Path to Peace”, is part of his drive to enhance interfaith dialogue and shed light on teachings common to the three montheistic faiths.



During the Washington leg of their trip, Their Majesties will hold a round-table discussion with a group of students from Banneker High School, the Hebrew Academy, the International Saudi Academy and Cardozo Senior High School in Washington.



The King's visit to the US concludes in Washington, DC, where he will meet several US leaders and members of congress to discuss Middle East issues, especially the advancement of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and developments in Iraq. He will also meet religious leaders, public opinion makers and intellectuals to further to promote dialogue and East-West understanding and enhance understanding of Islam.



His Royal Highness Prince Ali was sworn in as regent on Sunday.