On the morning of March 25, 2021, the Holy Father Pope Francis received the Most Reverend Dominique Joseph MATHIEU, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Teheran – Ispahan of the Latins in Iran in a private audience.
The audience, requested by the Congregation for the Oriental Churches to the Prefecture of the Papal Household, was granted to Archbishop Dominique in view of his episcopal mission.
The archbishop was accompanied by the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, and by members of the General Definitory as well as the Procurator General. After passing through the reception area of the San Damaso Courtyard, and clearing anti-Covid checks, a Swiss Guard accompanied the group to the First Loggia of the Apostolic Palace, and through the Clementine Hall and various “noble” rooms, to the waiting room. After about ten minutes, the Archbishop was brought into to the private library, where he was welcomed by Pope Francis. Friar Dominique, dressed in his episcopal cassock, presented the rest of his entourage.
The archbishop and the Minister General offered gifts to the pope, which were typical of Belgium and Argentina, the home countries archbishop and the Minister General, respectively. After the usual photos were taken, Pope Francis gave each of the friars a box containing a rosary.
Then he dismissed some of those present in order to hold a conversation first with the Minister General, and then for a long time with Friar Dominique alone, while the rest of the confreres waited in the beautiful surroundings of the Loggia, next to the Clementine Hall.
Afterwards, Friar Dominique reported that he had a cordial and open conversation with the Supreme Pontiff, and noted all the care and knowledge that Pope Francis has, not only for the small diocese in Iran, but also for our Order.
Later, the Archbishop and his confreres were invited into the Vatican Penitentiary to have an impromptu and festive aperitif.
Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO, Procurator General
Photo: © Vatican Media
