VATICAN CITY: Iran’s president and Pope Francis have exchanged gifts and wishes for hope and prayers after they met privately at the Vatican.
President Hassan Rouhani brought the pope a red-toned carpet and explained that the rug was hand-made in the city of Qom. Francis seemed curious as Hassan leafed through a book illustrating Iranian artworks, another gift.
Francis shook hands warmly with Rouhani, who is trying to shape a role as regional conflict solver for Iran after the recent nuclear accord led the West to lift sanctions.
The pope’s gift had a spiritual spin. Francis bestowed a medal depicting St. Martin giving his cloak to a shivering man, saying the gesture represents a sign of brotherhood.
Rouhani told a forum of business leaders in Rome that his country is now the safest and most stable in the region. Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said after meeting his Iranian counterpart, that Tehran can be a regional player in reducing Middle East tensions, starting with Syria’s civil war.
Rouhani told reporters the political talks leading to the nuclear deal could provide the blueprint for pursuing peace in the Middle East.
Rouhani’s four-day visit to Italy and France is part of efforts by Iran to reach out to its old partners following the implementation of the nuclear deal, and Rouhani is eager for foreign investments after the lifting of international sanctions. The trip was originally planned for November but postponed by the attacks in Paris.
President Hassan Rouhani brought the pope a red-toned carpet and explained that the rug was hand-made in the city of Qom. Francis seemed curious as Hassan leafed through a book illustrating Iranian artworks, another gift.
Francis shook hands warmly with Rouhani, who is trying to shape a role as regional conflict solver for Iran after the recent nuclear accord led the West to lift sanctions.
The pope’s gift had a spiritual spin. Francis bestowed a medal depicting St. Martin giving his cloak to a shivering man, saying the gesture represents a sign of brotherhood.
Rouhani told a forum of business leaders in Rome that his country is now the safest and most stable in the region. Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said after meeting his Iranian counterpart, that Tehran can be a regional player in reducing Middle East tensions, starting with Syria’s civil war.
Rouhani told reporters the political talks leading to the nuclear deal could provide the blueprint for pursuing peace in the Middle East.
Rouhani’s four-day visit to Italy and France is part of efforts by Iran to reach out to its old partners following the implementation of the nuclear deal, and Rouhani is eager for foreign investments after the lifting of international sanctions. The trip was originally planned for November but postponed by the attacks in Paris.
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