Iran’s President Ahmadinejad wants Pope Benedict to visit Tehran
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(Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holds up copies of the Koran (L) and the Bible as he addresses the 65th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, September 23, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Segar )
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would like Pope Benedict to visit Iran, Tehran’s ambassador to the Vatican has said.
“If the pope decides to come, we will welcome him in an excellent way, and, as far as the government is concerned, we will welcome him with enthusiasm,” Ali Akbar Naseri told reporters on Wednesday. Benedict has a standing invitation to visit the Islamic Republic but has so far not accepted.
The Vatican has criticized Ahmadinejad for calling for Israel to be wiped off the map. The pontiff has repeatedly encouraged dialogue to resolve differences over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, which the West says is aimed at making nuclear bombs. Tehran denies that.
via Ahmadinejad wants pope to visit Iran.
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Ahmadinejad has never called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.” How long are people going to drag on this stupid claim? He does not consider Israel to be a legitimate government because of its racist policies and gobbling up of Palestinian lands. So, what? This “wipe out” nonsense was based on a mis-translation of a single sentence in 2005. Israelis and ignorant Westerners keep dragging on this lie ad nauseum. When will people grow up?
Why would a pope visit Iran?
The Pope is busy with defending pedo-preist and denouncing gays. the last thing this guy needs, is to be accused of spying in Iran.
Not wise for the Pope to visit. Don’t do it please.
@Bob,
He would visit for two particular reasons.
1. He is a reigning monarch known for his erudition.
2. Persia and Afghanistan were Catholic lands before Islam brought the sword, and in the future Persia will once agains be Catholic.
3. There is still a large Catholic population that is afforded a particular legal status allowing them priveledges most in the West take for granted (Other than non-interference in religious exercises, One I am thinking of is the traditional anise liquor that is otherwise forbidden)
Please we Christians are tired of been used as a scape goat from our Muslim brothers,the massacre of our Catholic brothers in the Northern part of Nigeria on the 25 dec 2011,are still fresh in our memories.
The Vatican can’t accept this cheap and ridiculous invitation to cancel the NON acceptability OF FREE PROFESSION OF OUR FAITH IN MOST OF THE RADICAL ISLAMIC COUNTRIES- IRAN INCLUSIVE.SHALOM
Logical123 may be an Iranian agent.
Your article immediately above this states the crowd and the authorities and government all voice “Death to Israel”.
What does this mean, that they want death to a country but they don’t want it “wiped off the map”. This is contradictory garbage.
The Iranian President stole the election by all outside observers. Iran has an “illigitimate government”.
Publish discourse and discussion. But don’t publish “Death to Israel” and then have agents claim “we don’t mean it”. Would you publish statements from people who threatened you or your family or your city?????? Stop the rubbish.
Terrorist like IRAN would like another faith leader to visit their country so they can kidnap and kill them most likely.
Views expressed by individuals with free thinking minds are not tolerated on this website..
@ Notodicator After that BS Logical123 fed me last week you may be right. Everything they say are lies.
Logical 123 & the “interpretation” defense is most ill-informed as that was exactly the meaning then and after that and to this day. YES, he wants to destroy Israel. Where does all this naivete come from? Learn something before posting, it shows lack of proper ED. So what is it? Iran wants to open an embassy in Tel-Aviv as a sign of friendship? You think this is what Ahmadinejad had in mind or maybe one should interpret it as Iran’s life work to give the whole of Jerusalem to the Jews? Trifler, move along.
I should have read “notodictator’s” very well written response to “ilogical 123″ absurd ranting -Just shows how like minds think. I second the motion to “Stop the rubbish” people like you just think everybody else is an ignorant fool and you know what was meant. You know what was said. You even know the context in which it was said. RIGHT??? bugger off.
Ahmadinejad wants pope to visit Iran…well, I want to visit historical Homs, Syria but I’ve heard all the good stuff is long gone and little left to see or is THAT a misconception. I’m sure the weather is wonderful this time of year & there’s nothing quite like the fresh scent of shelling in the morning.