WANA (May 19) – Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri, the special envoy of the Iranian President, met with Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States. In this meeting, Salehi Amiri expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s readiness—drawing on its civilizational heritage and pilgrimage capacities—to open a new chapter in spiritual diplomacy and interfaith dialogue in collaboration with the Vatican.

 

Salehi Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, visited the Vatican as the President’s special representative to attend the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV and deliver an official message from President Masoud Pezeshkian. During this trip, he held meetings with the newly elected leader of the Catholic world and with Archbishop Gallagher. These meetings focused on joint efforts to deepen pilgrimage diplomacy, enhance interfaith dialogue, and contribute to the reconstruction of global moral order through spiritual values.

 

In his meeting with Pope Leo XIV, Salehi Amiri stated: “We believe that divine religions stem from a single truth—a truth that calls humanity to dignity, love, and peace.”

 

Emphasizing that “Iran carries a message beyond politics, rooted in culture and civilization,” he added: “Our cultural heritage serves as a universal language of connection, and this language is what the modern world needs to build a more humane future.”

 

Pope Leo XIV, in turn, praised the historical and cultural depth of the Iranian nation, stating: “Faith, when it speaks the language of respect and dialogue, has the power to reshape the world. We welcome all efforts aimed at bringing hearts and nations closer together.”

 

Following the meeting, Salehi Amiri described the encounter as “more than a dialogue—rather, a manifestation of mutual civilizational understanding,” and added: “We have come to the Vatican to convey the voice of a cultural, faithful, and peace-seeking Iran to the world. This meeting was symbolic, but its resonance will be lasting.”

 

Iran Ready to Play Active Role in Reimagining Global Pilgrimage Routes and Peace Caravans

Salehi Amiri also met with Archbishop Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Foreign Minister. Emphasizing the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s designation of 2025 as the “Global Year of Pilgrimage Tourism,” Salehi Amiri said this should serve as a prelude to revitalizing the role of religions in restoring meaning to today’s chaotic world. “The year 2025 must become a turning point linking cultural diplomacy with spiritual diplomacy, because pilgrimage is not merely a ritual—it is a shared narrative of truth, compassion, and peace among nations,” he said.

 

He continued: “With its sacred pilgrimage sites and a deep-rooted tradition of spiritual hospitality, Iran is prepared to actively contribute to redesigning global pilgrimage routes, facilitating peace caravans, and expanding elite capacity in interfaith dialogue. What the world needs today is a return to a shared religious understanding of human dignity and the value of dialogue.”

 

Iran’s Approach to Connecting Pilgrimage with Global Peace is Thoughtful and Strategic

Archbishop Gallagher welcomed Iran’s positions on spirituality and interfaith cooperation, stating: “Your approach in linking pilgrimage with global peace is highly thoughtful, strategic, and aligned with the spirit of divine teachings. The Catholic Church supports all efforts aimed at fostering coexistence, spiritual exchange, and establishing common pilgrimage pathways.”

 

He added that Iran’s active participation in 2025-related programs could help reinforce the divine identity of modern humanity. “The Islamic Republic of Iran holds immense potential in pilgrimage culture, Islamic theology, and interreligious engagement. We are eager to develop bilateral and multilateral collaborations aimed at creating a world rooted in ethics and peace.”