Pope Welcomes Cardinal Mathieu from Iran
Pope Leo XIV met with Iran’s top Catholic leader, Cardinal Dominic Mathieu, the Archbishop of Tehran and Isfahan, at the Vatican on Thursday. This gathering was significant given the recent turmoil surrounding the cardinal’s evacuations.
Cardinal Mathieu, originally from Belgium, arrived in Italy on March 8 after being evacuated from Tehran when the Italian government closed its embassy there. Vatican City, while independent, sometimes relies on other nations like Italy for diplomatic assistance. In Tehran, the cardinal had been residing at the Italian Embassy. He has held his position in Iran since 2021.
On Thursday, the Vatican shared a video of the Pope welcoming the cardinal. Reports indicate that there are about 2,000 Catholics in Iran who continue to practice their faith in a very challenging environment. Cardinal Mathieu’s leadership was crucial, but the context of a U.S. military operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, forced his departure. This operation aimed to diminish Iran’s perceived threat on a global scale and was initiated shortly after President Donald Trump announced the removal of Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei.
After the closure of the Italian embassy, Cardinal Mathieu’s situation became unclear, as his role in Iran was closely tied to Italy’s diplomatic stance. Belgian media later confirmed that he had safely reached Rome. In a statement, the cardinal expressed his sadness about leaving and his hope to return soon to aid the Catholic community.
“I arrived in Rome yesterday, but not without a heavy heart concerning our brothers and sisters in Iran, especially following the complete evacuation of the Italian Embassy,” Mathieu noted. He urged prayers for peace until he can return.
Iran remains one of the most oppressive places for Christians, particularly converts from Islam. Each year, organizations like Open Doors highlight the persecution of Christians, with Iran ranked 10th on the 2025 World Watch List. The estimated number of Christians in Iran is around 800,000.
Open Doors has highlighted that the Iranian regime systematically represses Christians, viewing them as a threat to their Islamic governance. Converts are often especially targeted, with house church raids leading to arrests and imprisonment.
Recent escalations in conflict between Israel and Iran have intensified the crackdown on Christian converts, perceived as supporters of the West. Following a ceasefire with Israel, numerous Christians were arrested across various cities in Iran.
Christians have been at greater risk since tensions erupted in late February, with heightened military actions impacting even Christian communities in neighboring Lebanon. Pope Leo has expressed the church’s desire for people to not be forced from their homes. He remarked that migration brings opportunities for connection but emphasizes the importance of one’s ties to their homeland.
Many Christian communities in Lebanon refused to evacuate, facing direct danger. One resident, Shabel Saya, voiced concerns for Alma al-Shaab, calling for it to be declared a safe zone free from Hezbollah’s military presence.
The conflict has prompted significant losses, including the passing of Maronite priest Father Pierre Ellahi, whom Pope Leo honored in a recent statement. He described Father Pierre as a dedicated shepherd to his community, praying that his sacrifice would pave the way for peace in Lebanon.
