RNA – The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has responded to a Christmas message sent by the head of the Islamic Seminaries of Iran, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, to Christian representatives.
The text of Pope Francis’ appreciation letter which has been delivered to Ayatollah Arafi by Vatican’s Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State, Giovanni Angelo Becciu, is as follows:
Vatican Secretariat of State
To Ayatollah Alireza Arafi,
His Excellency Pope Francis expresses his gratitude over your kind letter to congratulate the Christian New Year. Pope Francis wishes you the best in the New Year. He further thanks you for your wise remarks on the importance of divine peace and bounties, wishing you and your loved ones abundance of divine blessings.
Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Vatican’s Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State
February 21, 2018
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