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However, he said, Iran's leaders appeared "very well informed" about differences between the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches. Official media coverage of Cardinal Schonborn's visit hinted at possible concessions to religious minorities.

"Although Christians face many problems, they aren't persecuted and can leave the country whenever they wish," said Marte, a Roman Catholic who is also director of Austria's National Library. "It's important that their social, religious and liturgical life isn't forbidden or disturbed, in comparison with Saudi Arabia and other countries where Islam is [also] the leading ideology."

Cardinal Schonborn's tour, which was given front-page coverage in Iranian newspapers, follows President Khatami's 1999 visit to the Vatican, which has maintained diplomatic ties with Iran since the 1970s.

The Vatican's secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, is expected to visit Tehran to discuss the restitution of church properties and the juridical position of the Roman Catholic minority.

Erich Leitenberger said Cardinal Schonborn's visit had been arranged after a decade of "successful collaboration" between Roman Catholic and Muslim theologians from Austria and Iran, including conferences hosted by Pro Oriente in 1996 and 1999.

He added that President Khatami had personally participated in contacts before his appointment as head of state, while he was director of Iran's National Library.

"Iran occupies a special place as the Islamic world's only Shi'ite country—the wider dialogue between Christians and Muslims won't be complete without its involvement," the Vienna archdiocese spokesman told ENI.

"The cardinal pointed out that Austria's Islamic community is fully recognized by the state, whereas Iran's Christian churches lack necessary rights. But he sensed religious minority rights were evolving there."

Church sources said Schonborn had faced "enthusiastic questions" during his Teheran university lecture on the Pope's 1998 encyclical letter Fides et Ratio.

Copyright © 2001 ENI

Vatican minister meets Christians in Iran (BBC)

Papal envoy leads mass in Iran | Vatican's foreign minister is the highest ranking Vatican official to visit Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution [Photo] (Associated Press)

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March (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45