Syrian Catholic Patriarch scoffs at Italian museum's covering of nudes during Iranian leader's visit

January 28, 2016

A decision by Italian museum curators to cover up statues of nudes during a visit by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has drawn the scorn of Syrian Catholic Patriarch Youssef III Younan.

"This is our culture," said the Patriarch. "If you don't want to see it, close your eyes!"

The staff of the Capitoline Museums had put drapes over nudes before the Iranian leader's visit, in a bid to avoid giving offense to the Islamic leader.

 

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Further information:

• Covering nude statues in Rome for Iran head draws Catholic leader’s scorn (Washington Post)