Rouhani makes up for lost time in Italy
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is eager to bring his country back to the point it was before the sanctions.
On a trip to Italy and France to boost economic times after the nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The meeting is a sign of improved European-Iranian ties as Rouhani attempts to bring his country out of economic and political isolation. During meetings with Italian officials, Rouhani emphasized his desire to recover from the era of sanctions that damaged his country’s economy and relationship with European countries.
The last time an Iranian president met with the pope was 16 years ago in 1999 when former President Mohammad Khatami met with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. While Khatami’s “Dialogue of Civilizations” never came to full fruition, Rouhani has picked up the mantle of attempting to reduce tensions with European countries and establishing cooperation with the promise of enduring ties.
