Hawzah News Agency- In remarks at the Iranian mission to the Holy See, Archbishop Selim Sfeir said: "I was looking for an opportunity to meet the respected ambassador in person and get to know him. I am Lebanese but have lived in Italy for a long time; my education is in the law of religions, and I received my doctorate in law from an Italian university. Due to my mission, I have been residing in Cyprus for five years.
"As a Lebanese, I must say that the people of Lebanon have no problem with all the Shias of this country, nor with the Islamic Republic of Iran; we all love each other mutually and we love Iran. We are all grieved by the war in Iran, and all of Lebanon is displeased by this. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country in the world standing against the Zionist aggressors and the United States, and this is a source of pride for us. I wanted to meet you personally to express this view directly to you."
The Iranian ambassador said: "I am grateful for your words. As you know, on several occasions, during negotiations with the ominous US regime, we have been the target of the savage attacks and aggressions of the usurping, terrorist Zionist regime and the criminal, child-killing, terrorist US regime; during these attacks, senior military commanders and officials, scientists, our dear and great leader Imam Khamenei, civilians and 168 innocent schoolgirls in Minab along with 14 teachers were martyred.
"Our proud nation and our armed forces will defend the country's territorial integrity to their last breath and guard the sovereignty of the Islamic land. The terrorist Trump imagined in his delusion that he could take over Iran within two weeks — just as he imagined about Venezuela — but since then he has suffered heavy losses and is trapped in a limbo and quagmire.
"Although we have lost our dear leader and the highest-ranking officials, solidarity and unity among all segments of our nation have been formed and strengthened. Know that the resistance front will remain alive until the end. The criminal and aggressor US regime and the usurping Zionist regime have come to realize that our leader's holy shrine has become more than ever a source of torment for them and has breathed new life into all citizens and the youth.
"Islamic Iran stands firm and determined and will drag global arrogance into the abyss of destruction and make it regret [its actions]. Just as they martyred Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, did the resistance's activity end? The noble people of Lebanon are each another Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and the resistance is alive in any circumstances.
"I am confident that with the defeat of the illusory power of the US regime and the usurping Zionists, the world will move toward justice and security; know that our nation is the victor of the battlefield. In this imposed war, it was proven that diplomacy has been sacrificed and destroyed and is nothing but a slogan.
"In such circumstances, religious leaders must play an active role in establishing peace and tranquility in the world. I have sent a letter to the Pope about an alliance of world religious leaders to establish peace and uphold human dignity in the world, because I believe in this: governments do not want or are not able to establish peace in the world, but religion seeks peace, and in our era, religious diplomacy can replace political diplomacy."
Archbishop Selim Sfeir continued: "War is inherently wrong and unjustified. Peace must prevail in the world. I am confident that the United States and the Zionists will not achieve their goals. I hold meetings with all bishops on the issue of the family and will convey your valuable views.
"We bishops — whether in Italy, Cyprus or the Islamic Republic of Iran — are proponents of dialogue among religions. I believe the Islamic Republic of Iran has always and in all circumstances sought peace and stability in the region. I would like to travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran as soon as the opportunity arises.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is not properly known abroad, and its people and their firm beliefs are ignored. I always pray for peace; the United States and the Israeli Zionists will achieve no result, because God will destroy and defeat them in the near future."
Source: Weekly bulletin prepared by the Press Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Embassy to the Vatican (October 23, 2026 / Year 3 / No. 60)
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