'PRAY FOR ME': Iran’s President Rouhani asks Pope Francis for his support during European trip

 

HASSAN ROUHANI asked Pope Francis for his prayers, as the Iranian president worked to secure new business during a four-day European tour to boost his country’s image, following the lifting of sanctions over a secretive nuclear program

As Iran's president faces controversies ranging from his country's secretive nuclear program to its support of terror and alleged human rights abuses, he had a simple request for Pope Francis on Tuesday: "Pray for me."

Hassan Rouhani's visit to the Holy See saw the first meeting between a pope and an Iranian president since 1999. Iran, which agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for an end to economic sanctions, is eager to carve out a bigger role in mediating Middle East conflicts. Francis' papacy has been marked by mediation and conflict resolution.

"I ask you to pray for me," Rouhani told Francis after their 40-minute meeting. He called the visit by the leader of a Muslim country to the head of the Roman Catholic church "a real pleasure."

Francis thanked Rouhani for the visit and added: "I hope for peace." He gave the Iranian a medal depicting St. Martin helping a poor man, an act Francis called "a sign of unsolicited brotherhood."