Two religious worlds are about to collide. Reports are circulating that Pope Francis is to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on November 14.

Citing “diplomatic sources,” Reuters announced the upcoming meeting. The visit holds great political significance because it will be Rouhani’s first official trip to Europe. During the visit, Rouhani plans to meet with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and President Sergio Mattarella.

Several European political figures have already traveled to Tehran since Iran “came in from the cold” and struck a deal with the United States. With some sanctions to be drastically eased, and others scrapped entirely, Iran has become appealing to those Europeans seeking to be released from their dependence on Russia’s natural gas supply.

But why meet with the pope?

While details on what will be discussed have not come to light, Rouhani undoubtedly sees the meeting as an extraordinary chance to bolster his “moderate” image. His approach to the Vatican will be far more political than economic. Rouhani understands the rise of Pope Francis as a strong political figure in Europe. With the pope playing an increasingly more significant role in geopolitics, Rouhani likely hopes to strengthen his cause by rubbing shoulders with the high-profile pontiff.

The Vatican no doubt has its own agenda. The Catholic population in Iran, while only sitting around 22,000, remains free to exercise its religion, though Iran outlaws conversion to Christianity. Surely the pope will want assurances from Rouhani concerning this minority. But Pope Francis will not just be concerned about the lives of Catholics within Iran. Estimates suggest there are as many as 3 million practicing Catholics in the Middle East. This small number, along with a number of Catholic holy sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, represent Catholicism’s foothold in the Middle East. More personally for Francis, the meeting is a chance to further enhance his own role as a mediator of world peace. The pope has not shied away from controversy surrounding Cuba or the Palestinians. Now there is an opportunity for yet another intercession; this time in the form of the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran.

Even if nothing is achieved, the two leaders stand to gain political prestige and clout from the simple act of meeting. But with both men attempting to present themselves to the world as harbingers of peace, it is likely that reconciliation will come up when they meet.

Neither side can deny the fact that with Tehran’s reach extending well into the Levant and beyond to Northern Africa, Iran is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of all people across the region, Catholics included.

So can we expect religious tolerance and mutual goal setting to flow from the meeting on November 14?

Unlikely.

While the opportunity is apparent, there is one thing that will thwart reconciliation time and time again.

Rouhani may look to be the most moderate president Iran has ever had. He may come to the Vatican with every conceivable olive branch. Pope Francis can reach out with both hands. But at the end of the day, even if Rouhani were the greatest ally, Iran and Islam are not.

Historic Enemies: Catholics and Muslims

If reconciliation is going to take place, it needs to start soon, because there is a lot of forgiving and forgetting to be done. Muslims and Roman Catholics have been waging wars against each other for centuries.

As far back as a.d. 676, history records Muslims raiding the European continent. It was in that year that Charles Martel repelled said raiders near Poitiers, France. In 711, the Muslims (Moors as they were then called) overran Spain. In the latter half of his reign, Charlemagne pushed into Spain in an attempt to drive out the Moors. After an unsuccessful campaign and many years of war along the Franco-Moorish border, Charlemagne eventually captured the northern city of Barcelona in the year 800. Now, Catholicism set its sights on the Middle East. In 1096, The first Crusade to the Middle East was sparked by Pope Urban. The second came in 1147. The third came in 1189. Pope Innocent iii stirred up the fourth in 1202. Despite its failure, Catholics were not dissuaded. Another Crusade was struck up in 1217. The sixth came in 1228, and the seventh in 1248. King Louis ix had a second try in 1270. One year later, Prince Edward of England tried.

On and on the blood spilled as the two sides wrestled for control.

In more modern times, although there has been less fighting with Muslims, there has not been a great deal of reconciling either—particularly with Iran. While the Persians were a distant aspect of the Crusades, they have not shared a strong relationship with Catholicism. Papal interaction with Iran has been scarce. Pope Paul vi is the only pope to have visited Iran, and that was only a brief stopover in 1970.

The Vatican Is No Friend to Iran

The threat posed by the nation of Iran is too great for the Vatican to consider full rapprochement. Here are just a few reasons not to get too close.

Islam Is No Friend of Catholicism

This might seem like a simple statement, yet those who suggest strengthening ties between the two religions appear to miss the key point. If a religion calls for complete worldwide conversion—by the sword if necessary—it surely would not want to see another religion prosper. A Catholic would surely want Muslims to convert to his form of Christianity. And one who believed and followed the Koran would have to agree with the ideals written therein—many of which call for violence against non-believers.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, certainly believes it. He regularly calls for the annihilation of Israel and the West. He is very much pro nuclear weapons—and pro using them! After all, Khamenei and many Muslims believe that bloodshed is a prerequisite to the return of the 12th imam!

So Iran—an Islamic country—must by any logic see the removal of dissimilar religions as a step in the process of bringing about its global caliphate. Therefore, there cannot be a long-term, peaceful relationship. And as we have already covered, Tehran’s actions today also destroy the potential for a strong relationship between the two.

Historically, both religions have waged war over Jerusalem. The animosity of the two may be subdued at the moment, but it is still alive. Even when Iran’s president is meeting with the pope—a historic gesture in itself—the underlying fact remains: The two nations cannot be friends. The fundamental differences in religion and geopolitical ambition veto any chance.

Building to a Fight

Rather than forge a friendship, these ideological differences, combined with growing capabilities and influence, are setting the two religions up for a major confrontation.

This impending conflict has been well covered by the Trumpet. For an in-depth understanding, two booklets are essential: First, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s booklet The King of the South; and second, Brad Macdonald’s latest The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy. These two can be ordered free of charge with no follow-up or obligation. They provide insight into the roles of both powers in Bible prophecy. And the immediate future is not one of friendship!

Radical Islam, fueled by Iran, is going to push at Europe until there is a swift and sudden response. At that time, the handshaking and warm smiles we see today will be quickly forgotten.

As we watch the upcoming meetings and listen to the possibility of reconciliation taking place, let’s not forget whom we are dealing with. These are two religious and political powers that hold diametrically opposing policies and beliefs. The Vatican and Iran are not friends, and for the foreseeable future, that fact is not going to change.