VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2004 (VIS) - John Paul II today received Kamal Kharrazi, foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with an entourage. "Your presence here," said the Pope in English, "is a sign of the cooperation that, for more than fifty years now, has marked the official relations between the Holy See and your country. I am confident that this spirit of collaboration will continue to grow ever stronger as we address issues of mutual concern to us."
"Not least in this regard," added the Holy Father, "is the ongoing commitment to safeguard the inalienable rights and dignity of the human person, especially in efforts aimed at promoting greater understanding among peoples of different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Minister, I assure you of my good wishes for your stay in Rome and I invoke upon you the blessings of Almighty God."
The last Iranian government official to be welcomed to the Vatican by Pope John Paul was Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami on March 11, 1999.
AC/FOREIGN MINISTER IRAN/KHARRAZI VIS 20040212 (190
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