Pope Francis met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the Vatican on Tuesday and urged Tehran to work with other Middle East states to promote peace and stop the spread of terrorism and arms trafficking in the region.
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Ahead of a news conference with Premier Matteo Renzi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, wooden panels were erected around some Roman statues in Rome’s Capitoline Museums.
The Iranian leader on Monday met with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, with whom he attended the signing of several economic agreements in the prestigious setting of the Capitole.
When asked about the same, Rouhani said Iran didn’t make any specific requests for Rome museum officials to cover up naked statues but says he nevertheless appreciated the welcome he received.
Italian media reported that the statues had been covered to show respect to the Iranian culture and sensitivity.
In accordance with protocols governing visits by Muslim dignitaries, alcohol was not served at a dinner hosted in Rouhani’s honour.
Rouhani’s four-day visit to Italy and next, to 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 worldwide sanctions.
Rouhani told reporters Wednesday that he and Pope Francis discussed the issue during their audience at the Vatican on Tuesday.
The pope thanked Rouhani for his visit, adding he had “high hopes for peace”.
Rouhani brought a gift of a hand-made rug. In return, the Pope presented Rouhani with a medallion of St Martin and copies of the Pope’s encyclical on the environment, in English and Arabic.
This visit is considered the first time an Iranian president has officially visited Europe in 16 years.
The main achievement of this visit was signing of contracts worth up to €17 billion ($18.4 billion) covering various sectors, including health, transportation, agriculture and energy.
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Iran’s market “offers Italian and European investors the opportunity to establish themselves in the entire region”, according to President Rouhani.
