Iran ex-leader to visit Vatican

[Digitonomy]

Khatami was something of a liberal within Iran. Since he’s on the outs with Tehran’s current administration, I doubt much will come of it in the short term. But as Ahmadinejad’s star is falling, Khatami’s influence as an elder statesman will be burnished. Wise bridge-building on the part of the pope.

The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, is to be received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

He is the most senior figure in the Muslim world to visit the Vatican since the Pope’s much-criticised remarks last year linking Islam with violence.

Vatican diplomats have been working overtime for months to try to patch up relations with the Muslim world.

This visit to the Vatican by the former president of Iran, postponed from last year, marks the beginning of a new series of public and private initiatives taken by the Vatican to try to improve understanding between Christians and Muslims.
Source

 

[Margie07]

Let us pray it turns out well.