THE VATICAN (Dispatches) -- Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri met with Pope Leo XIV here on Monday to convey the cultural and civilizational message of the Iranian nation.
The call took place in line with Iran’s cultural diplomacy aimed at strengthening international dialogues based on human dignity.
Iran believes that divine religions are deep rooted in a single truth, a truth that calls for dignity, love, and peace to humankind, the minister said.
Pope Leo XIV, for his part, praised the historical and cultural depth of the Iranian nation, stating that faith accompanied with the language of respect and dialogue, can rebuild the world for a better future. 
Cardinal Prevost was elected as the successor to the late Pope Francis on May 10 after two days of discussions and voting among the cardinals.  
On Sunday, a senior Iranian cleric extended congratulations to the new head of the Catholic Church, calling for greater interfaith dialogue and cooperation in a letter that also pays tribute to the late Pope Francis.
 Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, director of Iran’s Islamic seminaries, addressed his message to Pope Leo XIV, highlighting shared values between Islam and Christianity and expressing hope for closer ties between religious communities.
Arafi described the papacy as “a significant responsibility and a major opportunity to continue noble efforts in promoting spirituality, social justice, family values, interfaith closeness, and confrontation against oppression and corruption around the world.”
Arafi pointed to “valuable commonalities” between Islam and Christianity, such as faith in God, family, justice, and the struggle against injustice. 
“These shared values have always served as a foundation for dialogue and constructive cooperation among religions and nations,” he said.
He hoped the new papal era will further strengthen such collaboration. “This cooperation can serve as a bridge for peace, coexistence, and cultural and religious convergence in the world.”
He also hoped that academic and cultural exchanges between Iran’s Islamic seminaries and the Vatican will expand, contributing to the promotion of divine and human values.