Iranian seminary teachers hail meeting of Pope Francis, Ayat. Sistani

Assembly of Qom Seminary Scholars and Researchers has issued a message following the meeting between Pope Francis and grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani to stress the historical visit as an opportunity for the Shia scholars and seminaries to follow this recent example and pursue interfaith dialogue with more effort, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

The seminary professors hailed the visit by Pope Francis to prominent Shia jurisprudent as a historical instant in the final days of the 14^th century (solar calendar).

Part of the message runs," This meeting was not only a determinant step in line with interfaith dialogue but also revealed the kind and pacifist image of Abrahamic religions amid the current critical situation that violence has challenged the Middle East and Muslim world in disguise of religions and denominations."

Seminary teachers in this message referred to tyranny, oppression, poverty, corruption, violence and sectarian rifts as the issues challenging modern man and common concerns for both religious leaders.

Iranian scholars hailed the senior Shia jurisprudent for admirable resistance and wisdom during years of war and occupation and playing effective role in boosting solidarity in Iraq as well as giant step in line with promoting coexistence of different ethnical groups in the Arab country.

Leader of the world Catholic Church in his visit to senior jurisprudent of Najaf announced that clerics can play an effective role in improving the human relations and ending crackdown, violence and other issues in the society.