The Pope said there needs to be a bilateral commission with state authorities to develop mutual understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Catholic Church.  He also said this measure would support the work of priests and religious in dire need of new vocations.

Benedict XVI
My thanks also goes to the priests, religious and religious working in this vast and beautiful country. I know how much their presence is necessary.

Iran's Catholic population has dwindled to less than 8,000 parishioners divided between Chaldean, Armenian and Latin Catholic communities.

Ramzi Garmou
Archbishop of Tehran (Iran)
What affects our Church the most right now is emigration. Many of our Christians have left the country for different reasons, economic, family and religious. This is why our community has become smaller over the years.

Teheran's Chaldean Archbishop, Mgsr. Ramzi Garmou, was born in Iraq but has been devoted to Iran's Chaldean community for more than 30 years.

Ramzi Garmou
Archbishop of Tehran (Iran)
The importance of the Church is not in its numbers, but in how effective its testimony and credibility are.
This is why even though we are a small minority, we must not be discouraged, on the contrary, we believe that with the power of the Holy Spirit and our faith in the Church we can continue our mission in Iran.

Benedict XVI explained that cultural dialogue and charity are the motors in achieving the Church's objectives in Iran. Another factor is to send workers that train priests and religious in Iran.