Iran Hopes for World Peace As New Pope Elected

In a congratulatory message for Pope Leo XIV on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister paid tribute to late Pope Francis and expressed hope that election of the new Pope would provide a valuable opportunity to promote justice and human dignity and to preserve peace.

The text of his message is as follows:

Your Holiness Pope Leo XIV, new leader of the Vatican

Greetings,

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on Your Excellency’s election as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

At a time when the world is plagued, more than ever, by injustice and cruelty, poverty and inequality, and war and bloodshed, the global attention to the election of the new Pope is a sign of renewed hope and public expectation for religion and spiritual teachings to play a role in safeguarding noble human and moral values and preventing the dominance of moral corruption over human society.

While praying that the soul of the late Pope Francis may rest in peace, we firmly believe that Your Excellency’s election as the leader of the world Catholics offers a valuable opportunity for the promotion of spirituality, morality, justice, and human dignity; the enhancement of tolerance among religions, ethnicities, and nations; and the preservation of peace.

In line with its principled policy of promoting morality and upholding human rights and dignity across the world through religious teachings, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought to strengthen its relations with the Vatican. The Islamic Republic also spares no effort to support interfaith dialogue and to work toward establishing global peace and security and combating violence, oppression, injustice, and bullying.

We are ready for any kind of consultation, synergy, and cooperation with the Vatican to this end.

Best regards

Seyed Abbas Araqchi

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Islamic Republic of Iran