Second Day of Rouhani's Trip: From Covering Naked Statues to Meeting the Pope

The Iranian President's trip to Italy entered its second day on Tuesday, February 6. Hassan Rouhani met with Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics. It has been about 17 years since the last meeting between an Iranian president and the leader of the Catholic Church; Mohammad Khatami met with Pope John Paul II in 1999. The Vatican announced that Pope Francis urged Iran to use its 'important role' in the Middle East to find solutions to end terrorism and arms trafficking. The Vatican, which has a history of mediating in international crises, is seeking to help establish a ceasefire in Syria. Previously, the Vatican supported regional ceasefires in Syria that were made possible through efforts by countries including Iran. Additionally, reports indicate that Pope Francis presented the Saint Martin medal as a sign of brotherhood to Hassan Rouhani, who brought a handwoven carpet from the religious city of Qom as a gift to the Vatican. Rouhani spent Monday meeting with senior Italian officials. According to Italian news agencies, the naked statues of the Capitoline Hill in historic Rome were covered with white boxes, and wine was removed from official dinner tables to host the Iranian president. Rouhani was welcomed by his Italian counterpart and the Prime Minister of Italy, and he delivered a speech and met with the country's economic leaders. This visit, according to Farahmand Alipour, an Iranian journalist residing in Italy, has been met with a relatively positive approach from the media in that country. Alipour explains that before 2010, Italy managed to surpass its competitors like Germany and France to become one of Iran's most important European economic partners, but suffered losses due to sanctions in those years. At that time, the economic crisis in Europe began, affecting countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece. Therefore, the resumption of economic cooperation is good news for Italian merchants. After the initial agreements between Iran and the West, former Italian Foreign Minister Benino was the first Western official to visit Tehran, and shortly after, a large business delegation from Italy went to Iran. All of this indicates that the Italian government has a comprehensive plan to re-enter the Iranian market, regain its previous position, and not fall behind its European competitors. Rouhani's Twitter page announced the signing of 14 economic cooperation agreements with Italy and stated that he discussed the situation in the Middle East and the issue of terrorism with Italian leaders. The Associated Press reported that the economic contracts include one for high-speed trains and two contracts in the gas sector. In a speech in Rome, Rouhani linked the issues of economy and terrorism, stating that one way to combat terrorism is to create economic growth and jobs, as unemployment fuels the emergence of terrorist soldiers. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, after a private meeting with Rouhani, said that the nuclear agreement is only a first step towards achieving peace and progress not only for Iran but for the region as well. According to Renzi, if a nuclear agreement with Iran is reached, achieving an agreement on Syria may also be possible. Mohsen Milani, a political science professor in the U.S., agrees with the Italian Prime Minister on this matter. He told Radio Farda that these contracts will be worth billions of dollars, and if Europeans thought that relations would again become murky and dark, they would never have signed them. Therefore, I am optimistic, but it largely depends on events inside Iran. Some still think that Iran can live isolated from Europe and the industrialized world. This is no longer possible. The sooner Iran reaches a conclusion and improves its relations with the world, especially European countries and then the U.S., it will benefit both Iran and regional and international peace.