Iran President Congratulates Pope, World Leaders on Christmas, New Year

In separate congratulatory messages on Sunday, Rouhani said, “I hope we can take big steps in the path of developing peace, justice, equality and brotherhood and moderation by taking advantage of prophets’ teachings and relying on the principle of peaceful coexistence.”

He further called on world leaders to try to “create a year replete with spirituality, dignity, welfare, and elimination of discrimination and violence for everybody around the world through collaboration and dialogue among religious experts and scholars and followers of religions.”

At the end of his message, President Rouhani wished a New Year full of blessings and felicity for the entire world and wished that Almighty God would bestow health, well-being and prosperity on all nations and their governments.

Rouhani also sent a message of congratulations to the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis. The full text of his message follows:

I am delighted to congratulate the birthday of the Prophet of friendship and peace and the start of year 2018 to Your Holiness and all followers of the Prophet of blessings and prosperity, Jesus Christ (PBUH), throughout the world.

I hope that in the new yea, we witness eradication of evil, wickedness, discrimination and poverty for mankind by taking advantage of the teachings of prophets and following their benevolent behaviour and traits. In today’s world, which is suffering the turbulence of moral problems, injustice, suffering and pain, it is the responsibility of politicians, scholars, and religious thinkers to create a beautiful world full of peace and moderation, free from violence and extremism with each other’s help, and leave this lasting legacy for the future.

I wish a year full of blessings and happiness, and pray to the Almighty for your Holiness’ health and success, and everybody’s prosperity and felicity.