Vatican News
Belgian Franciscan Dominique Mathieu has been Archbishop of Tehran and Isfahan since the end of 2024 and the first cardinal in Iranian territory. In Iran itself, there are six Catholic dioceses: four Chaldean (with the patriarchal seat in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad), one Armenian (in Isfahan), and one Latin, which was entrusted to Father Mathieu in 2021. In 2024, Pope Francis appointed the friar as cardinal.
The Holy See Press Office did not provide any information regarding the content of his conversation with Leo XIV, which took place on Wednesday, after the general audience, nor any details of the meeting.
The only option: peace and dialogue
So far, the clergyman has refrained from commenting on state affairs and has not spoken publicly about the current war situation. Last July, Mathieu warned against another dramatic escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. According to the archbishop, the only option for the region is peace and dialogue.
Christians in Iran are in an increasingly difficult situation. The Christian community in Iran is a small minority and includes several denominations. Missionaries are prohibited from operating, and reports of discrimination and persecution of Christians appear regularly. The number of Catholics is approximately 20,000, half of whom belong to the Latin Rite.
