KHATAMI IS FIRST IRANIAN PRESIDENT TO MEET POPE JOHN PAUL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the declaration made by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on this morning's visit to the Pope by Iranian President Khatami:

"The Holy Father this morning received in audience Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is the first time that a president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on a visit to the Vatican, has met John Paul II.

"It was a cordial meeting, marked by a spirit of dialogue between Muslims and Christians. President Khatami, referring to the inter-religious meetings called in the past in Assisi by the Holy Father, expressed the hope that this 'spirit of Assisi' will remain as a model for the future in common understanding between religions and peoples.

"In his farewell to the Holy Father, President Khatami highlighted how 'at the end of my visit to Italy and following this meeting with you, I will return to my country full of hope for the future'.

"The Holy Father thanked President Khatami 'for this important and promising visit'.

"President Khatami then met with Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano. The situation of the Middle East was also discussed in this meeting, with particular reference to Islamic-Christian dialogue, and dialogue between cultures. The subjects of human rights and the situation of the Catholic community in Iran were also raised."

OP;VISIT KHATAMI; IRAN;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990311;Word: 250;