Posted on 05/27/2008 1:59:29 PM PDT by knighthawk
ROME (Reuters) - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has asked for an audience next week with Pope Benedict which would be the first meeting between the two leaders, a diplomatic source said on Tuesday.
Ahmadinejad is among the heads of state expected to visit Rome to attend a June 3-5 United Nations summit on global food security, hosted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Vatican sources said earlier this week that it was not yet clear if the pope would meet individual heads of state attending the U.N. event or hold a collective audience for them in order to save time.
The Vatican has criticised Ahmadinejad for calling for Israel to be wiped off the map.
The Holy See has diplomatic ties with Iran and Pope Benedict has met Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. The pontiff has repeatedly encouraged dialogue to resolve differences over Iran's disputed nuclear programme, which the West says is aimed at making nuclear bombs.
Italy's foreign ministry has already ruled out the possibility that conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will hold bilateral talks with the Iranian leader, saying there will not be enough time.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; writing by Phil Stewart; editing by Andrew Roche)
Ping
No doubt wishes to take critical neck measurements as well.
Oh this dude is not as insane as he makes himself out to be.
Trying to help out the leftists in this Country.
Obamao can then turn around and say, hey if its OK for Pope to meet this guy, why not me.
Ofcourse their is an answer to that and that Pope is a spiritual and religious leader and that’s different from being a President and Political leader........but that answer is a bit complex for masses.
At the very least it reduces the sting on this issue for him.
However, I should point out that I am ALL FOR DIPLOAMCY as I have argued on the board before. Without Iran’s co-operation we can not get out of Baby-Iran, a.k.a. Iraq.
That philosophical difference aside, I do see the PR move that Ahmedhijcakcnazihack is making.
Precondition time.
I agree that it is a good PR move - BUT, Ahmanutjob is following procedure precisely, befriend, infiltrate and conquer the infidels.
ON THE INTERNET:
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ahmadinejad
http://www.truthusa.com/AllegedInsult.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/pope
A bit off topic...
stepping back in time...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1965561/posts
“Mr and Mrs Bin Laden: Rockers in Rome Hoping for Peace and a Meeting with the Pope”
Daily Mail ^ | February 5, 2008
Posted on February 5, 2008 4:42:56 PM PST by Cecily
Be sure to frisk him well before the meeting....
The islamic hitler shouldn’t even be allowed in Italy.
Probably plans to lecture Benedict on the one true religion and how the next Mahdi plans to pop out of a well and then summon Jesus back to serve behind him.
Pope Benedict should take the meeting- then throw holy water on the nutjob.
Not a good idea.
You know this guy is going to invite the Holy Father to convert to islam.
I know this: Benedito is NOT afraid.
The Pope should agree to meet with him but only if a list of preconditions are met. He should then say: “To Meet Without Precondition Would Be Naive.”
nObama see that... 
and raises with a Mars meeting for peace!
Maybe the Pope can perform an impromptu exorcism on old Amenjihad.
As for having any preconceived or pre-agreements, again, He is the Pope, Jesus Christ's representative on Earth. Jesus did not say, "Ok, I'll meeting with you sinners, but first you have to do certain things for me." Jesus when into the home of the tax collector, the sinner, the prostitute and allowed that sinner to renounce his or her ways. He did not judge; He opened his arms.
I would hope this Pope did the same thing.
Here's the Biblical (Gospel no less) reference:
Matthew 5:
21
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’
22
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
23
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
24
leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
26
Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
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